By Teddy Gomba
Gauteng Spokesperson for Social Development MEC
The Gauteng Department of Social Development cautioned citizens, particularly young people, about the continued trafficking in persons schemes targeting South Africans under the false pretext of overseas employment opportunities.
This follows the repatriation of about 17 of the 120 young South Africans who were trafficked through Thailand and exploited in Myanmar.
The victims originated from several provinces, including Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng, which had about 80 people, Free State, North-West, and the Western Cape, demonstrating the nationwide reach of these trafficking networks since last March.
The victims were repatriated by the National Intersectoral Committee on Trafficking in Persons (NICTIP), comprising Government Departments in Law Enforcement, Social Services, and Immigration.
The victims were recruited mainly through social media platforms such as Facebook, as well as by people known to them, including family members, former colleagues, acquaintances, and church members.
The recruitment process often involved online interviews conducted via WhatsApp or email, with recruiters arranging and paying for air tickets, accommodation, and other travel logistics, making the offers appear legitimate and highly attractive.
According to one of the repatriated young men, who prefers to be called The Don (25), for fear of possible victimization, who, together with five other people, arrived yesterday at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, expressed joy at finally coming back home after he left in November 2024 for greener pastures in Myanmar.
Speaking of his ordeal, he said, “I have been a breadwinner for my family of four siblings since 2022 following the passing of my mother and our stepfather vanished after the funeral.”
“I have been working for a fuel distribution company for a year, and my contract was never renewed.
Due to my family circumstances, I had to look for employment, and this opportunity came through. ”
He said, “We have been communicating through WhatsApp and email platforms, and as a Software Developer, I was employed as a Data Capturer.”
“Even though we were given accommodation and food, the conditions were bad. My first red flag, though, was when they organized my visa when I was already there and the alteration of different cars which was about 30 cars before we got to our destination.”
“We were never allowed to call our families back home, and due to my rebellious behaviour, I was fined and punished most of the time.
The breakthrough came when one of the persons died, and the place was surrounded by military and police, and the place was shut down, and we were rescued,” he added.
Gauteng Social Development, Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Coordinator Takalani Sekoba, indicated that there are three elements to confirm trafficking in persons, which are namely Recruitment, Transportation, and Exploitation, especially during this time of year as people prepare for back-to-school while others are seeking employment.
In terms of Section 4 of the Trafficking in Persons Act 7/2013, human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring , or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, the abuse of power , or a position of vulnerability , or the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.
Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery, or practices like slavery, servitude, or the removal of organs.
In summary, human trafficking can be defined as the following:
•Modern-day slavery. It is slavery in its worst forms.
•It involves the buying and selling of people, including children, for the sole purpose of exploitation for financial gain.
•It is a violation of one’s human rights, and it affects all races, ages, genders, and nationalities.
•It is a hidden crime due to its complexity.
•Recruitment processes with no formal contracts or verifiable company details
•Interviews conducted only online with no physical office verification
•Offers that include fully paid travel, accommodation, and rapid departure
•Pressure to make immediate decisions or keep the opportunity confidential
As the country enters the back-to-school and back-to-tertiary-institutions period, the Government is intensifying awareness campaigns to warn young people and communities about these deceptive recruitment tactics.
Members of the public are urged to be vigilant and cautious of job offers that appear too good to be true.
Community members, parents, educators, and Faith-Based Organizations are encouraged to verify all overseas employment opportunities before any travel arrangements are made.
Suspicious job offers or potential trafficking situations can be reported or verified through the Trafficking in Persons Resource Hotline at 0800 222 777, the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre at 0800 428 428 (available 24 hours a day), or by contacting the South African Police Service (SAPS).
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