A "syndicate" nabbed in Pretoria last month for human trafficking could face a R100-million fine or life in prison, or both, for trafficking 10 girls who they kept as sex slaves for up to 10 years.
The group have been charged in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, South Africa's main weapon against the trafficking of people from within SA and abroad.
The three were arrested in a flat in Arcadia after an investigation by the Hawks. They face a range of charges including rape, drug dealing, possession of drugs and theft of a motor vehicle.
Hawks spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police found 10 women in the flat. "The women were being used for sex. Some of them told us they have been exploited for five years, some 10 years. One of them told us she has been doing it for 13 years, and she is only 25 years old. You can imagine how young she was when trafficked from KZN to Pretoria. Since then she has never been home, she has never seen her relatives," he said.
Netshiunda said the women were used for sexual activities, including entertaining the syndicate's guests.
"Those guys fed them drugs so that they can continue doing those things to them. When they are finished entertaining their guests, they allegedly took the money and only buy them clothes, food and provide them with shelter," he said.
The women were taken in for questioning and have since been released as the case against the three men continues.
"We want people to be aware that human trafficking is real. You are not only going to be trafficked by a stranger, a friend can do the same. These people promise them jobs and luxurious lives," he said.
A report on worldwide human trafficking released in June, compiled by the US State Department, stated South Africa is a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking. "Nigerian syndicates dominate the commercial sex trade in several provinces [in SA]," part of it reads.
Rene Hanekom of A21, an anti-human trafficking NGO, said the recorded numbers of victims does not reflect reality.
"Those victims assisted by safe houses accredited by Department of Social Development does not include victims who were not assisted by safe houses, or assisted in non-accredited shelters," Hanekom said.
Embrace Dignity director Nozizwe Madlala- Routledge agreed. "There are no reliable statistics about the extent of human trafficking in South Africa. Estimates indicate this is a fast-growing problem. With the passing of anti-human trafficking legislation, it is hoped SA will begin to keep accurate records."
Human trafficking 'syndicate' faces possible R100-million fine
A "syndicate" nabbed in Pretoria last month for human trafficking could face a R100-million fine or life in prison, or both, for trafficking 10 girls who they kept as sex slaves for up to 10 years.
The group have been charged in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, South Africa's main weapon against the trafficking of people from within SA and abroad.
The three were arrested in a flat in Arcadia after an investigation by the Hawks. They face a range of charges including rape, drug dealing, possession of drugs and theft of a motor vehicle.
Hawks spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police found 10 women in the flat. "The women were being used for sex. Some of them told us they have been exploited for five years, some 10 years. One of them told us she has been doing it for 13 years, and she is only 25 years old. You can imagine how young she was when trafficked from KZN to Pretoria. Since then she has never been home, she has never seen her relatives," he said.
Netshiunda said the women were used for sexual activities, including entertaining the syndicate's guests.
"Those guys fed them drugs so that they can continue doing those things to them. When they are finished entertaining their guests, they allegedly took the money and only buy them clothes, food and provide them with shelter," he said.
The women were taken in for questioning and have since been released as the case against the three men continues.
"We want people to be aware that human trafficking is real. You are not only going to be trafficked by a stranger, a friend can do the same. These people promise them jobs and luxurious lives," he said.
A report on worldwide human trafficking released in June, compiled by the US State Department, stated South Africa is a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking. "Nigerian syndicates dominate the commercial sex trade in several provinces [in SA]," part of it reads.
Rene Hanekom of A21, an anti-human trafficking NGO, said the recorded numbers of victims does not reflect reality.
"Those victims assisted by safe houses accredited by Department of Social Development does not include victims who were not assisted by safe houses, or assisted in non-accredited shelters," Hanekom said.
Embrace Dignity director Nozizwe Madlala- Routledge agreed. "There are no reliable statistics about the extent of human trafficking in South Africa. Estimates indicate this is a fast-growing problem. With the passing of anti-human trafficking legislation, it is hoped SA will begin to keep accurate records."
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