STRENGTHENING THE FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING: DSD’S ONGOING EFFORTS AND INITIATIVES

By Precious Mupenzi

• Recent training sessions in Cape Town have equipped social workers with essential skills to identify and combat human trafficking, enhancing their effectiveness in addressing this complex issue.
• South Africa’s efforts are underpinned by the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, which, along with the National Policy Framework, ensures a coordinated response to trafficking.
• Cooperation between government agencies, regional partners, and civil society is crucial in dismantling trafficking networks and safeguarding vulnerable communities.

Andisiwe Magingxa, a social worker with the non-profit organisation Sizakuyenza Safe Home in Philippi, Cape Town, recently shared her transformative experience from a trafficking in persons (TiP) training session held in Cape Town.

“The training was informative and eye-opening. In some instances, you find that a case does not only involve gender-based violence but also issues of trafficking. The training equipped us with the skills and ability to identify signs of trafficking using the knowledge obtained during the sessions. This holistic approach allows me to assist clients more effectively. With the manual and skills I gained, I will also be training other colleagues at our centre to ensure that we are all equipped with the necessary information and skills,” Magingxa explained.

Her feedback underscores the crucial role of these training programmes in empowering frontline workers to tackle the complex challenges of human trafficking. The Department of Social Development (DSD) is at the forefront of efforts to combat human trafficking in South Africa. As a source, transit, and destination country, South Africa faces significant challenges in addressing trafficking for forced labour and sexual exploitation. To combat this issue, the DSD has been conducting specialised training sessions aimed at equipping frontline officials, particularly social workers, with essential skills and knowledge.

Central to South Africa’s fight against trafficking is the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, Act No. 7 of 2013. This legislation forms the foundation of the country’s legal framework against trafficking and enforces commitments under the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, which supplements the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (Palermo Protocol). Ratified on 20 February 2004, this international agreement mandates South Africa to take concrete steps against human trafficking.

The Act’s implementation led to the development of the National Policy Framework (NPF) on TIP, approved in 2019. The NPF ensures a uniform, coordinated, and cooperative approach to combating trafficking, guiding the implementation and administration of the Act while enhancing service delivery.

Mr Buti Kulwane, Social Work Policy Manager responsible for Victim Empowerment and Gender-Based Violence within the Department of Social Development, emphasised the importance of this framework.

“The NPF is a crucial tool in ensuring that all stakeholders, from government departments to civil society organisations, work in unison to tackle the complexities of human trafficking. Capacity building is critical,” he said.

He elaborated that training initiatives, part of the department’s broader awareness campaign, began in September 2019 with the “Train the Trainer” programme. To date, 276 officials, predominantly social workers, have been trained. This capacity-building effort has kept the conversation about trafficking in persons active across provinces. Trained officials have gained the confidence to spread awareness and mobilise non-governmental stakeholders, such as taxi associations and local businesses, to join the fight against trafficking.

Kulwane further highlighted the significance of regional cooperation in addressing human trafficking, particularly in provinces that share borders with other SADC countries. Provinces like Mpumalanga and the Free State have developed cross-border partnerships with social services and law enforcement agencies in neighbouring countries such as Mozambique and Lesotho.

“Such discussions are vital as they raise awareness about the tactics used by trafficking syndicates, helping to protect vulnerable individuals by equipping them with the knowledge to recognise and avoid potential threats. The cross-border partnerships also facilitate a coordinated response to trafficking cases, enabling more effective prevention, victim support, and prosecution efforts. This regional cooperation underscores the importance of a unified approach to combat trafficking, as criminal networks often operate across national boundaries. By working together, these provinces and their neighbouring countries are taking significant steps toward dismantling trafficking networks and safeguarding their communities,” he said.

Kulwane also stressed that the fight against human trafficking requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society. Political, traditional, and religious leaders, alongside government and civil society, must champion this cause. In this context, the Department of Social Development collaborates closely with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJCD), which leads the coordination of activities to implement the TIP Act. The DoJCD’s role is crucial in ensuring that laws and policies are enforced, including the vetting of stakeholders working in the field of human trafficking.

“Provincial TIP Task Teams in the Free State, Northern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal have already held their planning workshops, and the next one will be in Limpopo on 15-16 August 2024. These provincial planning workshops involve all the role players at the provincial level, focusing on the operationalisation of the NPF Plan of Action in the province. These workshops are led by the Justice Department, with DSD playing an active role as the leader in victim care, support, and healing,” he stated.

“We partnered with the Western Cape Province for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July and for the National TIP Awareness Week, which is commemorated annually during the first week of October. We also conducted an inspection visit in Port Nolloth, Northern Cape, during Child Protection Month. Additionally, TIP training is scheduled for 03-04 September, specifically for the Northern Cape Province,” Kulwane mentioned.

He further emphasised the importance of ongoing capacity building for government officials, including the military and law enforcement, to enhance the identification of victims, victim care and support, and the investigation and prosecution of trafficking cases.