Durban, South Africa -16 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. TIP involves forced labour, sexual exploitation, forced begging and forced criminality. South Africa is also a source and transit country for TIP and the smuggling of migrants towards Europe and North America. Many of the TIP cases, especially forced marriages for purpose of exploitation, are occurring in the more rural areas of KwaZulu Natal. In order to address these issues, and more specifically to respond to the needs of traditional leaders, the 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 of the workshop, 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 during her speech that "it is important to understand that TIP happens everywhere and affects everyone. It targets the poor and vulnerable". She emphasized that "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 objectives and deliverables of the workshop were:
Speaking during the workshop, Ms. Tiphanie Crittin, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer UNODC Vienna, said that "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:
Workshop participants included the National Prosecuting Authority (KwaZulu Natal), the Department of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs (KwaZulu Natal), the Commission for Gender Equality, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, "amaKhosi" traditional leaders and GLO.ACT project implementing partners.
The Global Action to Prevent and Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT) is a four-year (2015-2019), €11 million joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The project is being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). GLO.ACT aims to provide assistance to governmental authorities and civil society organizations across 13 strategically selected countries: Belarus, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Mali, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, South Africa, Ukraine. GLO.ACT works with the 13 countries to plan and implement strategic national counter-trafficking and counter smuggling efforts through a prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships approach. It supports the development of more effective responses to trafficking and smuggling, including providing assistance to victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants through the strengthening of identification, referral, and direct support mechanisms.
For more information, please contact:
Banele Kunene, National Project Officer
banele.kunene@unodc.org
www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/glo-act/
Email: glo.act@un.org
Twitter: @glo_act