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Juxtaposing human rights and human trafficking in South Africa

15 March 2021 | Story Prof Beatri Kruger | Photo Anja Aucamp

Prof Kruger web read more — Prof Beatri Kruger is a research fellow in the Free State Centre for Human Right at the UFS.

John Miller from the United States Office to Monitor Trafficking in Persons calls human trafficking: "The greatest human rights challenge of our generation."

But is this really the current position in South Africa? Let us do a reality check. New evidence-based insights were gained from convictions in several adult, as well as 25 child trafficking cases.

In 2011, Roelofs penned a picture of (sex) trafficking:

"It is a product of an increasing sex obsessed world with billions of dollars being earned from pornographic magazines, television channels and prostitution all because of slumping morality. It is obviously a very lucrative business. Whereas drugs and other narcotic substances can be used only once; a girl used as a sex slave can be sold over and over. This is the tragedy of this cruel exploitation of the vulnerable in our societies."

Exploitation of the vulnerable for financial gain

In 2019, in S v Ediozi Obi (case no CC40/2018), judge Natvarlal Ranchod referred to the above quote and concluded: “This is tragically illustrated in this matter before me …” In this case, several victims were vulnerable young children. They were trafficked, groomed, and repeatedly raped. “They were prostituted for accused 1's financial benefit. It is a sad indictment of certain members of the police force who were expected to bring perpetrators to book but instead, exploited the situation to their own advantage by taking bribes and themselves taking advantage of the young victims. This is some of the evidence that came out in this trial.”

In 2017 in S v Adina Dos Santos, the trafficker was sentenced to life imprisonment, which was confirmed on appeal. The evidence was that the trafficker promised minor Mozambican girls work in her hair salon in South Africa and an opportunity to study while working there. The girls, who were looking for a better life, were eventually threatened and forced to use narcotic drugs and then have sexual intercourse with several men daily. Recently, two female traffickers were sentenced to 19 life sentences in S v Seleso for sexually exploiting a minor girl online by advertising her sexual services to clients on a website.

A multitude of human rights are being violated in human trafficking scenarios. It ranges from violating the right to dignity, privacy, and life, to the right to be free from all forms of violence and not to be treated in a cruel, inhuman, or degrading way. – Prof Beatri Kruger

The trafficking convictions further confirmed that, apart from sex trafficking, victims are also trafficked for other purposes in South Africa. Children as young as eight were trafficked from Mozambique and Nigeria to be exploited for labour purposes. The cases further confirmed that traffickers use an aberrant form of the ukuthwala custom as a guise to traffic minor girls into forced marriages. Furthermore, children were kidnapped and sold. A young mother even advertised her baby on Gumtree for R5 000.

Multitude of human rights are violated in human trafficking

This is a snapshot from our case law. Despite the culture of human rights enshrined in our constitution, it is clear that a multitude of human rights are being violated in human trafficking scenarios. It ranges from violating the right to dignity, privacy, and life, to the right to be free from all forms of violence and not to be treated in a cruel, inhuman, or degrading way. Judge Ranchod rightly declared in S v Obi that human trafficking violates basic human rights and is the cause of immeasurable trauma for victims, their families, and the communities in which they live. Protecting trafficked persons and their human rights is crucial – we have a great task ahead.

News Archive

Kovsies reign FNB Superbowl

2007-05-10

The FNB Super Bowl took place from 26 – 30 April in Potchefstroom.

The Kovsies reigned the tournament in their respective categories.

It was an absolute mega Intervarsity. The following tournaments took place in which Kovsies was represented.

Senior rugby tournament

The Shimlas won their first game against TUT 33-0

In the Semi-final Shimlas lost against Pukke 17-8.

The Shimlas played for third and fourth place against Tukkies and won the game 41-19. Which secured them the third place in the tournament.

The following teams participated in the tournament

Pukke, UJ, Shimlas, Tukkies, Maties, NMMU, TUT, UCT

SA Students team

The following Shimlas were selected for the SA student games:

Steph Roberts (prop)

Drikus Strydom (hooker)

Philip Steyn (lock)

Marlin Ruiters (Scrumhalf)

Marcel du Toit (flyhalf)

Pharmaton Junior Rugby Tournament

The Kovsies u/21 & u/19 teams won their respective tournaments. It is a wonderful accomplishment for the University. The following teams took part in the tournament: Kovsies, Pukke, Tukkies and UJ.

u/21 results

Won Pukke 12-11

Won UJ 22-18

Won Tukkies 47-16

u/19 results

Won UJ 9-8

Won Pukke 25-13

Won Tukkies 25-16

Hostel Rugby Tournament

Reitz and Armentum represented Kovsies. These two teams played against each other in the final which Reitz won 47-0. To have both our hostel teams in the final is an outstanding accomplishment for Kovsies.

The following Universities took park: Kovsies, Pukke, Tukkies and UJ

Reitz results

Won Sonop (UJ): 27-7

Won Patria (Pukke): 11-10

Bastion (Tukkies): withdraw

Won Armentum in the final: 47-0

Armentum results

Won Overs (Pukke): 15-7

Won Afslaan: 49-12

Won Boekenhout: 43-0

Lost against Reitz in the final: 47-0

Hostel Soccer

Veritas represented Kovsies and won Kiaat from Tukkies in the final with 3-1 after a penalty shoot-out.

Hostel Netball

Vergeet-my-nie and Emily Hobhouse represented Kovsies. Vergeet-my-nie lost in the final against Wanda from Pukke17-14.

Hostel Cricket

Vishuis lost in the final against Villagers from Pukke with 5 wickets.

Hostel Hockey

Wag-‘n-Bietjie and Vergeet-my-nie represented Kovsies. Unfortunetly none of them went through to the finals.

We won most of the games against the strongest Universities in the country is an outstanding accomplishment for Kovsies.

Compiled by

Ansu Colditz

Rugby Manager

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