UNODC GLO.ACT breaks ground in facilitating the first training on Trafficking in Persons for the "amaKhosi" traditional leaders in KwaZulu Natal

 

52 individuals were brought together at the TIP training which successfully increased the capacity in providing an effective TIP response in South Africa © UNODC/B.Kunene

Durban, South Africa -18 October 2017 - In South Africa, training is highlighted as one of the key interventions in the draft national policy framework on the Prevention and Combatting of Trafficking in Persons Act. South Africa is a primary destination for Trafficking in Persons (TIP) from Asia and the rest of Africa. It is also a source and transit country for TIP and the Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) towards Europe and North America. TIP involves forced labour, sexual exploitation, forced begging and forced criminality. Many of the TIP cases, especially forced marriages for purpose of exploitation, are currently occurring in the rural areas of KwaZulu Natal. To address this, and to respond to the needs of traditional leaders, UNODC's Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants ( GLO.ACT) facilitated a three day workshop on TIP from 16 -18 October 2017.

During the opening ceremony, Inkosi Thabisile Zulu, Deputy Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders said, "The workshop is very crucial for amaKhosi traditional leaders, since they are on the ground in the rural areas with the people. This would empower them to raise awareness in their different traditional councils".

Ms. Moipone Noko, Provincial Head of the National Prosecuting Authority in KwaZulu Natal, explained that "…it is important to understand that TIP happens everywhere and affects everyone. It targets the poor and vulnerable". She emphasized how "…amaKhosi traditional leaders must work cooperatively with the National Prosecution Authority when cases are reported to traditional councils". Such cooperation from the public ensures that human traffickers will be brought to justice.

The objective and deliverables of the workshop were to:

Develop the knowledge and capacity of the amaKhosi traditional leaders and chiefs in identifying TIP cases and on referral mechanisms once cases are identified, in addition to protection issues

Speaking during the workshop, Ms. Tiphanie Crittin, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, UNODC Vienna, highlighted the importance of the training as "…traditional leaders are best placed to detect victims of trafficking and refer them to the relevant mechanisms. Hence, amaKhosi have a very important role as responders".

The workshop covered the following subjects:

  • The 2013 Prevention and Combatting in Trafficking in Persons Act 7;
  • Definitions and basic concepts of TIP and the difference between TIP and SOM;
  • South African TIP cases;
  • The importance of understanding social and local contexts;
  • Harmful traditional practices and the role of traditional authority structures in TIP;
  • TIP Indicators

Workshop participants included the KwaZulu Natal National Prosecuting Authority and the Department of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs; the Commission for Gender Equality; the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development; "amaKhosi" traditional leaders and UNODC's project implementing partners. The major outcome of this workshop highlighted the need for continued training to be provided to additional traditional leaders in various districts in KwaZulu Natal as the training was found to very successful and key in enabling a comprehensive response to Victims of trafficking (VOT) and Smuggled Migrants (SM).  Capacity building is one of the six key response areas of UNODC's GLO.ACT programme. The others are strategy & policy development; legislative assistance; protection and assistance to VOT and SM, including children; and regional/transregional cooperation.

Ms Tiphanie Crittin addresses participants on the importance of the training © UNODC/B.Kunene

For further information, please contact:Banele Kunene, National Project Officer | banele.kunene@unodc.org | https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/glo-act/index.html | Email: glo.act@unodc.org | Twitter: @glo_act