A Complex Systems Stratagem to Combating Human Trafficking

Effective Response to Human Trafficking in South Africa: Law as a Toothless Bulldog

“…It encompasses and sometimes transcend sexual- and labor-related exploitations (U.S. Department of State, 2017). Surprisingly, the overwhelming documentation and research on the menace in the country have excessively focused on trafficking for sexual exploitation (Ellrod, 2015; Emser & Francis, 2017; Frankel, 2016; Gould, 2014; Van der Watt, 2018a). Moreover, botheration over the problem of immigration and sexual exploitations has made the state overlook less sensational facets of labor exploitation that also fall under the anti-trafficking canopy (Africa Check, 2013; Farrell & Kane, 2019; Walker & Oliveira, 2015, p. 130).…”

“…This lacuna is amplified by increasing sensationalized media reports on the sexual dimension of the crime (Chiumia & Wilkinson, 2013). Such over-sensationalized media reporting, coupled with entrenched frustrations over unemployment and poverty, has sporadically fueled public resentments and xenophobic violence against foreign nationals in some parts of the country (Van der Watt, 2018b; Walker & Oliveira, 2015).…”

“…Beyond media portrayals and over-sensationalized reports on the crime, trafficking business in the country is operated by both South African and foreign crime syndicates (U.S. Department of State, 2017; Van der Watt, 2018b). While syndicates of West African, European, and Asian extraction dominate the commercial sex and other sexual-related exploitation in some parts of the country, local South African crime syndicates are involved in both labor- and sexual-related exploitation (U.S. Department of State, 2016).…”

“…Studies have shown that human trafficking is prevalent in South Africa (Bello, 2015; Buthelezi, 2015; Emser & Francis, 2017; Van der Watt, 2018a; Van der Westhuizen, 2015). Unfortunately, the accuracy of several contentions on the prevalence of trafficking in the country is difficult to validate due to the sketchiness of available data (Allais, 2013; International Labour Organization, 2012).…”

“…Regrettably, these measures have not been effective. Rather, they have provided incentives to traffickers to re-strategize and explore other exploitative opportunities offered by existing crises within the country’s political, socioeconomic and cultural context to expand their business operations (Van der Watt, 2018b). Such dilemma prompted this pertinent question: Why has it been challenging for South Africa to combat trafficking in persons in recent times despite the anti-trafficking legislation put in place to address it?…”