RECENT news reports in which human trafficking was a subject matter raised questions about the pervasiveness of this crime, the modus operandi of those behind it, and the practical steps that can be taken by South Africans, the government as well as other stakeholders.

We reached out to academics and activists to understand more about the prevalence of human trafficking in SA.

The academics and activists sounded the alarm that this crime remains a serious problem in the country, with deceptive recruitment an increasingly common tactic employed by those behind it to target the youth, particularly unemployed young people.

However, they said it is difficult to accurately measure the actual prevalence of human trafficking due to different factors, which include under-reporting, mis-classification, data limitations, and the “hidden nature of the crime”.

“Official statistics only offer limited insight into the pervasiveness of the crime,” said Dr Monique Emser, a UKZN senior lecturer, Discipline of Political Science, and chair of the NACSA4U Human Trafficking Working Group.

According to Emser, sexual exploitation is the most commonly reported form of trafficking prosecuted, followed by forced labour, domestic servitude, and increasingly forced criminality.

“However, it is suggested that forced labour exceeds sexual exploitation. Official complicity, weak screening, and low conviction rates relative to the estimated scale of human trafficking compound the issue, making it difficult for us to have a clear understanding of the actual scale of this complex crime. This, in turn, has knock-on effects on resource allocation to combat it,” said Emser.

Catherine Restiau of the National Freedom Network said deceptive recruitment is an increasingly common tactic employed by those involved in the trafficking chain.

“Young people, particularly unemployed youth, students, job seekers, aspiring athletes, and migrants, are increasingly targeted through deceptive recruitment, especially via social media and fraudulent employment agencies,” said Restiau.

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Traffickers increasingly behave like legitimate businesses, using logos, professional websites, fake contracts, and customer-service style communication to build credibility before exploiting victims.

“Even when recruited to work in the system of prostitution, arriving there, the conditions are very different from what was originally stated, working for R4000 per hour in Durban July for high-end clients, ends up being exploited and even owing the exploiters for debt, which they know nothing of,” said Restiau, who is also a co-ordinator and survivor advocacy specialist.

Restiau pointed out that not all recruitment fraud may result in human trafficking.

Advocate Liechen Strydom, from Liberation Legal Consulting and member of the NACSA4U Human Trafficking Working Group, said false job offers remain the most commonly reported recruitment method.

“These appear on social media, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, classified sites, or informal ‘pop-up’ agencies. Promises include high-paying work in hospitality, call centres, IT/tech support, teaching English, domestic work, mining, ‘webcam’ modelling, or overseas opportunities.

“‘Fully paid flights, accommodation, and high salaries’ are typically promised in the case of trafficking to other parts of the world, such as the notorious cyber-scam centres in Myanmar, where a number of South African nationals were rescued from.

“Another form of deceptive recruitment is through the manipulation and abuse of trusted relationships or grooming. Peers, family or community members may be involved, adding a layer of credibility and lowering distrust in the recruitment process. Similarly, false romantic relationships, ‘loverboy’ recruitment model, are predominantly used in recruiting youth into sexual exploitation.

“Online grooming and social media are also being increasingly employed by traffickers or facilitators within the trafficking chain to recruit victims at greater speed and scale. Increasingly, ’influencers’ are becoming involved in trafficking chains – either as recruiters or exploiters themselves,” said Strydom.

Here are some common warning signs that job seekers should look out for:

• Unrealistically attractive terms: Very high salaries (especially in USD or foreign currency), free or fully paid flights and accommodation, rapid placement, little or no experience required, or promises of easy citizenship/permanent residency.
• Pressure and urgency: Demands to decide or travel quickly (“limited spots,” “must leave within days”), secrecy, or instructions not to tell family.
• Vague or shifting details: Unclear job descriptions (e.g., “security,” “logistics,” “technical support,” “hospitality,” or “training” that later changes), no formal written contract in a language you understand, or contracts presented only in a foreign language without translation.
• Communication channels: Contact primarily via WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or personal/mobile numbers rather than official company email and phone lines. Use of free email domains (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) or lookalike domains. Promotion by social-media influencers without verifiable backing.
• Requests for money or documents early: Up front fees for “placement,” “visa processing,” “training,” “medical checks,” “background checks,” or “equipment”. Legitimate recruiters in South Africa are generally paid by employers, not job-seekers. Early demands for passport, ID, bank details, or other sensitive information before a proper process.
• No proper interview or verification process: Offer without a formal interview (video or in-person), reference checks, or clear company details. Reluctance to provide a physical address, company registration details, or to meet in person.
• High-risk destinations or intermediaries: Offers involving Russia/Ukraine-related “security” roles, Southeast Asia (especially routes via Thailand that can lead to Myanmar border compounds), or other conflict/high-risk areas. Involvement of informal “agents,” family/friend referrals under pressure, or unverified private recruiters.
• Other red flags: Single (one-way) tickets only; insistence on tourist visas for what is claimed to be work; inability to independently verify the employer; or pressure to sign documents you cannot fully understand.

A follow-up feature on this subject will be published. 

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