NATIONAL NEWS - Over 300 Western Cape traffic law enforcement (LE) officers have been trained on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) in a joint effort by the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Western Cape Mobility Department (WCMD).
A21 South Africa is an NPO that specialises in combatting TIP (otherwise known as human trafficking).
Since November, 334 LE officers have received training across the following modules:
- Understanding Trafficking in Persons
- Unpacking legislation
- How to identify and report cases
- Trauma-informed approaches when working with potential victims
Western Cape Minister of Social Development Jaco Londt said, “The Western Cape Government is always looking at ways to improve safety measures for residents. Human trafficking is a heinous criminal activity that has long-lasting traumatic impacts on victims and their loved ones. Early detection and intervention are key to preventing serious harm. This is why joint operations and coordinated efforts like this one between DSD, Mobility, and A21 SA are so crucial. Our law enforcement teams are now equipped with the skills to identify and intervene in acts of human trafficking.”
Minister Londt also cautioned residents to be aware of job scams, as these are a form of trafficking, “We wish to urge prospective job seekers to be vigilant. Many young people fall victim to websites or social media posts doing recruitment for “jobs”, that turn out to be fake.
"Our department works closely with DIRCO, agencies like A21 and law enforcement. To parents and young people: please do thorough research before going to meet anyone or sign up for a job that seems too good to be true.”
Western Cape Minister of Mobility Isaac Sileku said, “Human trafficking is a hidden crime that often moves along our roads. By equipping our traffic officers with specialised training, we empower them to identify the signs and intervene before lives are lost. This is not just about enforcing traffic laws, it is about protecting the most vulnerable in our society. Every officer trained is another safeguard against exploitation and abuse.”
Not long after A21 SA’s training of the trainers in November, one traffic LE officer spotted a high-risk situation with many red flags involving an undocumented minor traveling with an older man who was not a relative. The child was taken into safety.
The officer said of the experience, “This situation reminded me how vulnerable undocumented individuals – especially young girls – can be, and how easily they may be exploited. It also reinforced for me how important the Trafficking in Persons training is for officers on the ground. Thank you once again for supporting this important training and strengthening our awareness and response.”
A21 SA’s Katie Modrau said there are plans to refine and customise the training further for a more extensive rollout in 2026, “We are so grateful for the opportunity to partner with DSD and the Traffic Law Enforcement Directorate in order to respond to TIP.”
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