Police warn hiring of undocumented workers may contribute to human trafficking
This comes after the station spoke at a recent Women's Day event hosted by the ladies of the African Evangelical Church (AEC) at the Manhattan Hotel, on August 9.
Members from around the province gathered at the hotel for the AEC's Gauteng Regional Women's Convention.
Station spokesperson, Constable Thabang Nkhumise, spoke on the realities of kidnapping and human trafficking, as it is an ongoing issue affecting the metro and the country at large.
Nkhumise gave the ladies a clear picture of what human trafficking and kidnapping is, and further demonstrated the types of trafficking ranging from forced labour, sexual exploitation, debt bondage, domestic servitude, forced marriage, child soldiers, and organ removal.
The attendees were also enlightened on forms of kidnapping such as human smuggling and abduction.
'We want to urge you, ladies, to be cautious and not employ foreign nationals who are not documented for cheap labour, as that is considered part of human trafficking,' Nkhumise said.
Member of the AEC's Women's Chapter, Babalwa Mabitsela, said that they invited the police because, as women, they needed to be made aware of the happenings regarding their surroundings.
'We know that human trafficking and kidnapping are not confined to the borders of South Africa; it is global, and we need to know what's happening within and even beyond.
'There may be some of us who are involved in it and not even aware that we are. Some of us may be employing domestic workers from neighbouring countries, and those people are undocumented.
'The fact that they are here in the country illegally means that we are also contributing to human trafficking,' Mabitsela said.
Mabitsela said the engagement was an eye-opener for her and fellow members, especially when police went over the most recent crime statistics.
The women were urged to report any criminal conduct and assured that they can do it anonymously, so as to help the SAPS and protect the most vulnerable groups of people.
Contacts for help were handed out for whistle-blowing, such as the Crime Stop line, 08600 10111, or 112 for all cellphone providers, or alternatively, they were urged to use the MySAPS mobile app.
ALSO READ: CBD couple arrested with drugs and stolen property
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