Trafficking a money-maker

2009-03-26 08:32

Durban - Human trafficking was becoming a major money-making operation for local and international syndicates, Minister in the Presidency Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said on Wednesday.

Addressing delegates attending a three-day human trafficking conference in Durban, Tshabalala-Msimang said scores of women and children experienced severe trauma, abuse and human rights violations.

"Human trafficking is becoming a major money-making operation for local and international syndicates."

Tshabalala-Msimang said scores of children had gone missing across the country.

"They are those who are being abducted, sold and bought for exploitation."

The conference was being held in Durban because KwaZulu-Natal was identified by the Western Cape-based children's organisation Molo Songololo as one of the notorious entry, transit and destination points in the country, said Tshabalala-Msimang.

"It is encouraging though that KwaZulu-Natal has formulated an action plan, whose implementation is being supported by the Films and Publications Board and the Airports Company of South Africa."

Tshabalala-Msimang said the plan to counter human trafficking, pornography, prostitution and brothels, would form a model and reference point for the other provinces, which would be establishing their inter-sectoral task teams this year.

She said she had visited the Eastern Cape on Monday to interact with the people of Lusikisiki on the issue of child abduction, forced and early marriages.

"The SABC had reported that in the past two years more than 200 schoolgirls from as young as 12-years-old had been forced into marriages in Lusikisiki area alone.

"We found out that "ukuthwala" or forced marriage was indeed still being practised in remote villages in the Eastern Cape," added Tshabalala-Msimang.

- SAPA