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Reporting suspected Human Trafficking

National Prosecuting Authority
International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
Molo Songololo

National Prosecuting Authority

The Directorate of Special Operations (DSO), also known as the ‘Scorpions’, Crime Analysis Division

The public may report any information on suspected cases of Human Trafficking to the following offices within the National Prosecuting Authority:

Head Office / Gauteng: (012) 845 6147
Western Cape: (021) 487 7000
Kwa-Zulu-Natal: (031) 334 5000
Bloemfontein: (051) 400 7200
Eastern Cape: (043) 702 4110 / (043) 702 4050

Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU)

Where there has been a significant benefit or there are valuable assets which are concerned in the commission of the offences or are the proceeds of unlawful activities, the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) should be notified in order to establish the viability of proceeding against the perpetrators and their assets in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Act 121 of 1998) (POCA).

Head Office / Gauteng: 012 845 6000

Sexual Offences & Community Affairs Unit

Head Office / Gauteng: 012 845 6136

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International Organisation for Migration (IOM)

Often people are not sure if it is a case of human trafficking or not, so they are encouraged to make the call in order for the assessment to be made. For assistance or further information, or if you or someone you know has been trafficked and needs assistance, please call 0800 555 999.

This help line is confidential – callers can remain anonymous. It is also not linked to the police or other authorities.

Some questions you may want to try to answer if you are reporting a case before making the call:

Where is the potential victim of trafficking from?
Where are they now?
What were they promised?
What are the conditions they are living in?
What are their working conditions?
Do they have access to their identity documents?
Are they in any immediate danger?
Do they want assistance?
Can they be contacted? How?

(Not all of these need to be answered, but if you can find out before calling it can enable us to respond faster)

If a victim agrees to join IOM’s beneficiary programme, they can be provided with safe accommodation, counseling services, medical services, legal assistance, assistance in returning to their home country, and reintegration assistance (help to get them reestablished).

IOM will assist in finding appropriate help. This approach is suggested as it will streamline reports and allow the task team to keep track of reported cases more effectively. This would also allow for a streamlined response so that the caller does not have to call around looking for help, and IOM can coordinate assistance with known partners who can respond appropriately and quickly.

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Molo Songololo

Once we meet an alleged trafficked victim, we first interview them to ascertain whether any acts of trafficking have occurred to the victim. This will involve a detailed report / statement from the victim as the occurrence of events.

We thereafter have to ascertain whether the complaint has been reported and registered at the proper police station. This will involve obtaining the case number from the complainant or if it has not been reported, accompanying the victim to the relevant police station to report the matter. Once the matter has been registered with the police station, we shall have constant communication with the investigating officer that has been assigned to investigate the matter in question.

We shall then transfer the victim to a shelter where they shall reside and receive counselling.

In certain cases the victim does not wish to lay a complaint against the perpetrators and we therefore facilitate for their repatriation to their place of origin.

Tips:

Athough maybe not all elements of the ‘trafficking definition’ have been fulfilled, that does not mean that no crime has been committed and that victims don’t need assistance.
Victims may qualify for a witness protection programme.

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Last modified: 16 July 2008 10:15:55.