DSD COMMITS TO PREVENTING AND COMBATTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

By Tholakele Makena.

• ⁠South Africa observes Human Trafficking Awareness Week in the first week of October, coinciding with Social Development Month.
• ⁠As part of the campaign against human trafficking, the Department of Social Development held an awareness outreach at the major transport hub of Bosman Station in Pretoria on 3 October 2025.
• The department’s coordinator for trafficking in persons, Buti Kulwane, described the department’s role as ensuring victims receive the necessary care and support to overcome trauma and rebuild their lives.

As part of National Social Development Month, the Department of Social Development held a Human Trafficking Awareness campaign at Bosman in Pretoria.

Speaking at the event on 3 October 2025, the department’s coordinator for trafficking in persons, Buti Kulwane, outlined the department’s key responsibilities in the fight against human trafficking.

He emphasised that while law enforcement plays a critical role in addressing trafficking, the department focuses on the provision of care, support, and rehabilitation services for victims.

“As the department, we are committed to both preventing and combating the crime of trafficking in persons,” Kulwane said.

“Our role is to ensure that victims receive the necessary care and support to overcome trauma, rebuild their lives, and become mentally prepared to assist the criminal justice process by providing key evidence.”

Many victims of trafficking experience severe emotional and psychological trauma, Kulwane said, adding that the department offers trauma-informed care to assist them in their recovery.

“We operate shelters where victims can receive the care they need. Some of these shelters are managed by the government, while others are run by non-governmental organisations. Regardless of who operates them, they all follow a trauma-informed approach,” he said.

The choice of Bosman Station as the venue for the launch of Social Development Month was strategic, as it serves as a major transport hub with thousands of daily commuters travelling between South Africa’s provinces and neighbouring countries.

“We are targeting commuters using buses, taxis, and trains. Transport stations can become points of entry or exit for trafficked persons, and that is why it is important to have our officials here, engaging directly with the public,” Kulwane stated.

During the campaign, department officials are on-site, engaging with commuters, distributing educational materials, and encouraging the public to report suspicious activities.

The key message being promoted is that everyone has a role to play in preventing human trafficking. “We encourage people to report when they see someone in distress or suspect they may be a victim of trafficking,” he added.

Kulwane referenced a recent case involving a Chinese national connected to human trafficking activities in Malawi. He used the case to illustrate the international nature of the crime and the need for cross-border collaboration and vigilance.

In line with international efforts, South Africa observes World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July each year, aligning its national activities with global awareness campaigns.

In addition, the country has established its own National Human Trafficking Awareness Week, observed during the first week of October. The current campaign is one of many taking place during this week as part of the Qaphela campaign, which promotes awareness, education, and community mobilisation.

Kulwane concluded by stating that the department’s efforts are part of a broader national and international strategy involving multiple stakeholders.

“This campaign is not only for the police or the department. It includes civil society organisations, other government departments, and international partners, all working together to tell the story of what we are doing to fight human trafficking,” he said.

The initiative reflects the Department of Social Development’s ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and fostering safer communities through education, support, and collaborative action.