ON October 15, people in Amanzimtoti, and hundreds of cities around the world, joined the A21 Walk For Freedom against human trafficking, which is described as modern-day slavery.

The Amanzimtoti Community Police Forum (CPF) co-hosted the walk, in partnership with the local counter-human trafficking organisation, Sparrow Trust, which was founded in 2018.

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“The annual A21 Walk For Freedom is a global response to human trafficking and raises awareness of the millions enslaved in the world today. It is proudly supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Human Trafficking, Harmful Traditional Practices, Prostitution, Pornography, and Brothels Task Team,” said Amanzimtoti CPF public relations officer and Sparrow Trust founding director Estelle van Eeden.

The walk formed part of the year-round social crime prevention campaign of the Amanzimtoti CPF, which is implemented in partnership with local community-based organisations and government stakeholders, to educate our residents on how to stay safe but also to empower victims and survivors by linking them up with the Amanzimtoti police station’s victim-friendly services.

“Members of the CPF ExCo, Metro Police, Department of Community Safety and Liaison Crime Prevention team, Blue Security and Doonside Neighbourhood Watch joined the silent walk to raise awareness and to make a statement that exploitation will not be tolerated in our community. The neighbourhood watches play a critical role in eradicating all forms of crime in our community as patrollers are the eyes and ears of law enforcement,” said Van Eeden.

Knowing that abolitionists have been mobilised to take the message of hope into their networks gives them courage and determination to keep working to prevent and stop exploitation from affecting residents of Amanzimtoti,” she said.

“We were happy with the turnout on the day – despite the rain, all went smoothly. There were meaningful conversations had, and individuals volunteered to join future prevention workshops and awareness campaigns,” said Van Eeden.

The Amanzimtoti CPF thanks all members of the public who participated in the silent walk, where one step at a time they move to ensure the freedom, dignity, and rights of every resident in the community.

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Van Eeden added that no community, rural, suburban, or urban, is immune to this injustice which is one of the world’s fastest-growing forms of organised crime.

“It is the one crime that does not discriminate and can affect anyone, especially in the age of technology where online exploitation is rife. We want the victims, who may be living in our community, to know that there is help,” she said.

Anyone who believes that they may be a victim of trafficking or suspect that someone may be, can call the toll-free South African National Human Trafficking Hotline on 0800 222 777. Tips can also be made anonymously.

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