Homeland Security

DATE=3/28/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= SOUTHERN AFRICA / HUMAN TRAFFICKING (L)

NUMBER=2-301449

BYLINE= DELIA ROBERTSON

DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG

CONTENT=

INTRO: The International Organization for Migration says that there is widespread human trafficking in southern Africa -- much of it women and children intended for the sex trade. V-O-A's Delia Robertson from our Johannesburg bureau reports the trade flows both into and out of the region.

TEXT: The International Organization for Migration says the trade of human beings in southern Africa is diverse and widespread. The organization's Program Officer for Trafficking, Jonathan Mertens, says researchers were surprised at the result of a recent study.

///1ST MERTENS ACT.///

I suppose that one of our main surprises was just how diverse the phenomenon appears to be in southern Africa. We have a lot of extra-regional trafficking, into the region from places like Thailand and China and Eastern Europe. But maybe more significantly we've also found that there seems to be a significant amount of trafficking within the region -- trafficking of African people by Africans through southern Africa.

///END ACT.///

The six-month study revealed that much of the trafficking involves women and children from southern African countries destined for the sex trade industry in South Africa or Europe. Some women are brought to South Africa as so-called "wives" by African refugees who use them as a source of labor, sex and income through prostitution. The sex industry in South Africa also imports women from Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia.

Much of the traffic is linked to international crime syndicates, including some based in Russia and China.

Mr. Mertens says the trade in humans is made easier because borders in southern Africa are notoriously porous. He says the trafficking problem is particularly acute in South Africa because it has become a major destination for illegal migration of all types.

///2ND MERTENS ACT.///

Because its so tightly wrapped up with the massive amounts of undocumented migrants that come in to South Africa annually, its very difficult for them to distinguish when someone might be a victim of trafficking -- whether this person is a victim of trafficking or whether its just another undocumented migrant. So I think for South African authorities the challenge is immense.

///END ACT.///

But Mr. Mertens says no countries in the region have laws that specifically outlaw human trade. And, with some exceptions, border officials are not given specific directives or training to deal with the issue.

///OPT/// Mr. Mertens says researchers were particularly shocked by evidence that Africans, including African women, are engaged in trafficking children. In addition he says researchers found that street children from Lesotho are being brought to parts of South Africa by groups of white men. Once in this country he says, they are held captive for days and sexually assaulted in a sadistic manner researchers described as "a feeding frenzy for fantasies of hatred, humiliation and revenge."

///OPT/// ///3RD MERTENS ACT.///

Effectively we spoke with people at a child support shelter in Maseru and found that this doesn't seem to be an uncommon thing. We did interview some victims as well, who had been subject to this. And there are case studies that the social workers there at the shelter are keeping on this issue -- I think there were twelve in the past year that they've recorded.

///END OPT/// ///END ACT.///

Mr. Mertens says that countries in southern Africa must address the issue of trade in humans regionally. He says no single country will succeed in trying to solve the problem alone and the International Organization for Migration will work with governments in the region to find ways to fight human trafficking in southern Africa.

NEB/DAR/AWP/MEM/KBK