Are human trafficking and kidnapping linked in South Africa?
Although data on both problems is uneven, this seminar will review available information and trends.
Police statistics show a 115% increase in kidnappings in South Africa over the last 10 years, from 2 535 to 5 455 incidents. Public concern is growing about the kidnapping or abduction of children with alarming stories doing the rounds on social media. What is known about these crimes and should the public be concerned?
Experts continue to highlight the problem of human trafficking in the country, although it’s almost impossible to get credible statistics. The latest release of police crime figures in September made no mention of human trafficking although South Africa ranks on the Tier 2 Watchlist of the US State Department.
This seminar explores human trafficking and its possible link to crimes such as kidnapping and abduction.
Chair: Johan Burger, Research Consultant, ISS
Speakers:
Dr Marcel van der Watt, Forensic & Criminal Investigations Science, Department of Police Practice, UNISA
Adv Rasigie Bhika, Deputy Director, Public Prosecutions, Gauteng
Lt Col Parmanand Jagwa, Provincial Coordinator, Illegal Migration, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Gauteng
Kirsten Hornby, Global Advocacy Director, Love Justice International
Lumka Cebo, Resource Line Case Manager, A21 and SA Human Trafficking Resource Line, Cape Town
