An analysis of the causes and contributing factors to human trafficking: A South African perspective

Abstract

Trafficking in human beings, especially women and girls, is not new. Historically, it has taken many forms, but in the context of globalization, has acquired shocking new dimensions. It is a complex, multi-faceted phenomenon involving multiple stakeholders at the institutional and commercial level. This article attempts to explore and analysis the causes and contributing factors to human trafficking. This research was carried out utilising a qualitative approach. Forty interviews were carried out among officials deployed in the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), the Department of Social Development (DSD), the Gauteng Provincial Office, as well as with the victims regarding their views and experiences on the stakeholder’s involved in combating and investigating human trafficking. The interviews were analysed according to the phenomenographic approach to identify the participants’ responses. The reason for this choice was to identify key or knowledgeable participants about human trafficking in three selected areas of Gauteng Province. The key findings indicated that the growing demand for foreign workers for domestic and care-giving roles, and lack of adequate corresponding regulations contribute immensely on human trafficking. The findings further indicated that lack of legitimate and fulfilling employment opportunities, particularly in rural communities contribute to human trafficking. The findings further indicated that demand for women’s sexual services and the growth of the billion-rand sex entertainment industry contribute to human trafficking. Based on the findings, the authors provided with the recommendations such as: improved awareness in social media platforms, multi-disciplinary unit dealing with human trafficking within the DPCI, and tougher laws and legislations on prostitution, women’s sexual services and sex entertainment industry.

Keywords

• Human trafficking
• prostitution
• migration laws
• victims
• South Africa