Two children who were victims of human trafficking across South Africa’s border into Malawi are expected to return home on Thursday.
The Minister of Social Development, Dina Pule, is expected to receive the girls, aged 9 and 15, at the OR Tambo International Airport.
Pule said they have since been identified as victims of human trafficking. Pule said that, to date, the DSD has repatriated 22 children.
“Their return forms part of South Africa’s repatriation process aimed at ensuring the safe return of children subjected to trafficking and exploitation. Their reception forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to protect children, ensure their safe repatriation to South Africa, and facilitate access to appropriate care,” Pule said.
She said as the custodian of the Children’s Act, the department works closely with various government departments, entities and civil society organisations to ensure the safe return and reintegration of children who are victims of human trafficking.
These include the Departments of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Home Affairs, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), the Border Management Authority (BMA), and civil society organisations. Pule will be accompanied by senior government officials and relevant stakeholders who will oversee arrangements for the children’s safe return, care and access to the necessary support services.
In Durban, a man and woman have been convicted of human trafficking and several related offences after luring a woman to KwaZulu-Natal, where she was raped, held against her will and forced into prostitution.
The pair, who were convicted in the Pinetown Regional Court, were found guilty of trafficking in persons, kidnapping, keeping a brothel, procuring a women for prostitution, living on the earnings of prostitution and occupying premises used for the defilement of a female.
Accused 1 was further convicted on two counts of rape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, while Accused 2 was convicted on one count of rape.