Human trafficking huge global problem

POLICE investigators are only scratching the surface of the multimillion-rand human trafficking industry in the Eastern Cape and other provinces which is linked to sexual exploitation, drugs and cheap labour.

This was the message from internationally recognised experts at an Anti-Human Trafficking seminar held in Port Elizabeth at the weekend.

The seminar comes only days after Eastern Cape authorities revealed several investigations were under way into trafficking of underage girls for sexual exploitation across provincial borders.

At present, two cases linked to human trafficking, racketeering and sex slavery of minors are on the court roll in the Eastern Cape.

One case is in Uitenhage and he other in Stutterheim.

Experts described trafficking as a global problem which generated an estimated R250-billion a year.

Last year, in South Africa alone, an estimated 44500 people were trafficked in and around the country.

The trafficking seminar comes only two months after the USA Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report for 2014 was released. - Gareth Wilson