REPU
BLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA – Human Trafficking
outh Africa can hold its head up high not only for its creditable performance on the field but also as the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup. RSA has shown that it can successfully host a tournament that has attracted 350,000 visitors and entertained millions of people around the world. In the midst of all the tournament euphoria a note of caution wasr aised expressing fears that human trafficking, especially for the sex industry, would increase during the World Cup period. Now that the World Cup has gone to Spain the problem of trafficking remains in South Africa and indeed in many African countries.
Justice worker Sr Melanie O’Connor, Coordinator of the Counter Trafficking in Persons Desk set up by the South African Bishops Conference has said, “We need to seize the opportunity of the World Cup, the first on the African continent, to draw the attention of the media and the fans to the tragedy of women and children all over the world being trafficked”. She also said, “It is an honour for us having been chosen to host the 2010 World Cup, but we cannot forget that such an event can have its dark side. South Africa is already known to be a ‘hotspot’ for human trafficking. We need to be vig ilant at all times and do all we can to protect our people from this hideous crime”. The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference has been working in the last two years to protect potential victims of trafficking, especially through awareness raising programs. Click to Read More
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