​On Wednesday, 30 April 2025, the Gauteng Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), Crime Prevention Wardens, and non-profit organisations, took to the streets of Kempton Park in Ekurhuleni to raise awareness on Human Trafficking.
The awareness campaign began with a march and aimed to educate the community about the dangers and realities of human trafficking, as well as how to identify, prevent, and report suspicious activities.
The initiative targeted at least 200 vulnerable individuals, including street beggars, homeless persons, victims of gender-based violence, and substance users, groups considered most at risk of being trafficked.
According to Social Worker and Eastern Corridor Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Ambassador, Neliswa Mtshabe, South Africa, particularly Gauteng Province, is classified as a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking.
This means that victims are trafficked from South Africa to other countries, while foreign victims are brought into Gauteng as a destination for exploitation. Many of these individuals become victims of gender-based violence, are forced into prostitution, or turn to substance abuse, ultimately ending up on the streets,” explained Mtshabe.
She added, “Human trafficking affects every one and can occur in any community. Kempton Park has been identified as a hotspot due to its proximity to the airport. Many of the cases we handle involve victims who have been rescued from this area.”
“We are here to raise awareness so that people understand how to prevent trafficking in persons. This is a crime against humanity that involves complex issues such as migration, organised syndicates, and drug cartels.”
“Our people are being threatened, intimidated, brutalised, exploited and in some cases, even killed, for profit. We must work together with law enforcement and other stakeholders to put an end to this crime, ”she urged.
Mtshabe encouraged residents of Kempton Park to report suspected trafficking cases to the nearest South African Police Service (SAPS) or to contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Line anonymously at 0800 222777.