Citation

Pithey B. S. Afr. Crime Q. 2004; 9: 7-10.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Institute for Security Studies (South Africa))

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

South Africa seems well on the way to creating specialised human trafficking legislation. The country is a signatory to the United Nations Protocol on Trafficking in Persons, and the SA Law Reform Commission is investigating the issue of trafficking. But there are many legal provisions currently available for prosecuting those engaging in this practice. Perhaps a greater challenge for the prosecution is how to identify acts that constitute 'trafficking in persons'.

At present there is no specific legal framework in South Africa that provides for the criminalisation of trafficking in persons for the purposes of sexual exploitation. This situation could change, as South Africa has signed the United Nations Protocol on Trafficking in Persons, and the South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) is currently investigating trafficking in general. There is also a proposal to introduce interim legislation to address various aspects of trafficking. The Sexual Offences Bill has included a provision on trafficking specifically with regard to sexual exploitation.

Keywords: Human trafficking