The South African Government has over the past twenty years ensured that everyone within the country's borders enjoys equal rights and protection as enshrined in our Constitution. We have therefore noted with concern the practice that people are lured to the country with false promises of lucrative jobs. Often criminal syndicates use this as an avenue to force people into prostitution, drug trafficking or forced labour. The recruitment and transportation of people by deception for the purpose of exploiting them economically is no-less than human trafficking.
Trafficking is a crime in South Africa and is a serious violation of human rights as enshrined in the Bill of Rights. This issue is receiving urgent government attention and we are doing all we can to combat it. Government will not tolerate such practices in our country and law enforcement agencies will take stern action against any perpetrators. President Jacob Zuma last year signed the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill into law. It gives government the means to tackle human trafficking holistically and comprehensively.
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