CLR JACO TERBLANCHE, DA Member of Community Safety Oversight, writes:
Modern day slavery and human trafficking are still a reality in Ekurhuleni and as the DA, we say, “no more”.
The DA wants to congratulate A21 for taking to the streets in Kempton Park and Tembisa on October 14 to highlight the seriousness of this issue.
Also read:
• WATCH: Residents say no to human trafficking with silent march
The march protested against human trafficking and called on local government to do more to stop this.
It is important to take this message to all the people of Ekurhuleni. We are in the 21st century where we can trace your car, cellphone and tablet but cannot trace a person.
It is important that the City of Ekurhuleni realises human trafficking is happening in our city. During the Siyaquba Programme in February in Kempton Park, a woman was found who indicated to the blitz team that she wanted to go home.
The City assisted her to a place of safety and helped her to locate her family.
The voiceless need our help. We urge the City of Ekurhuleni to establish a ‘help desk’ to assist people who are victims of modern-day slavery. With an international airport on our doorstep, we need to be vigilant to ensure the vulnerable and others do not become victims of human trafficking.
The City of Ekurhuleni has the potential to be the head quarters for human trafficking in South Africa.
It is important that we, as a city, take a hard stance against human trafficking and substance abuse in all communities. The City of Ekurhuleni needs to implement the examples of the City of Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The DA will take this issue up in the community safety oversight committee to ensure that a task team is established to fight human trafficking.
