Johannesburg — A BILL aimed at combating human trafficking was introduced in Parliament this week by the Department of Justice, bringing SA on par with international efforts to recognise trafficking as modern slavery.

Activists worldwide consider human trafficking a global crime that provides ruthless employers with an endless supply of people to abuse for financial gain.

Justice Minister Jeff Radebe told a briefing at Parliament this week the existing law regarding the trafficking of persons in SA was fragmented. Although it was undesirable to combat the scourge using this legislation, he wished to "dispel a myth that SA has not been able to do anything about this crime phenomenon".

Radebe said the introduction of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill was not motivated by the imminent World Cup.

"SA is a signatory to the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children. We are therefore required to pass domestic legislation in order to fulfil our international obligations."

Last week, the United Nations (UN) announced that a R24m donation by the European Union would be used to implement a project aimed at tightening SA's leaky borders, strengthening law enforcement capacity and improving the response to human trafficking into and out of the country.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime said the project was cognisant of problems related to SA's borders and was "mindful of the fact that almost 500 000 visitors from neighbouring countries and international destinations were expected during the 2010 Soccer World Cup, which kicks off in June".

Radebe said the new bill emanated from an investigation carried out by the South African Law Reform Commission into the causes of trafficking in persons.

"The Law Reform Commission identified some of the main causes of trafficking in persons as attributable to poverty, war and political instability. Trafficking in persons is a worldwide phenomenon and is one of the most lucrative criminal enterprises globally."

He said the bill "will be one of the most comprehensive laws" in the fight against human trafficking in this country.

"There are a number of reforms that the bill will bring into place. It provides for the prosecution of persons involved in trafficking and also for appropriate sentences to be imposed. It is aimed at preventing and combating trafficking in persons, as well as for the protection and assistance of victims of trafficking," he said.

Sister Melanie O'Connor, co-ordinator of the counter-trafficking in persons desk for the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference, said the extent of the problem of human trafficking in young girls was underestimated.

"Being a country of origin, transition and destination for trafficking, there is the fear that trafficking of women and children will increase significantly during the World Cup."

Mariam Khokar, programme manager for counter-trafficking for the International Organisation for Migration, said the group had provided technical input in the drafting of the bill, and looked forward to its being passed and signed.