36/1/4/1/201200048
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO 29
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 27 FEBRUARY 2012
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3- 2012)
Date reply submitted: 7 March 2012
29. Ms N D Ntwanambi (ANC-WC) to ask the Minister of Police:
(1) Whether the SA Police Service will establish a temporary or permanent specialised unit that will focus on eliminating the trafficking of young girls in South Africa (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details (see report);
(2) whether any of the 16 girls who have been rescued from the brothel in KwaZulu-Natal have been reunited with their families; if not, why not; if so, how many;
(3) whether he or his department will follow up on all of these cases; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether there has been an indication of the modus operandi regarding (a) how the girls (i) disappeared or (ii) have been lured to the brothel from their homes and (b) the areas where they came from; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
CO101E
REPLY:
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) is responsible for the investigation of all cases of human trafficking. Provincial Human Trafficking Coordinators have been appointed in all provinces assisted by investigators within the Organised Crime Investigation Units, whose responsibility it is to investigate human trafficking cases. The DPCI also works in a collaborative investigative approach with the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS Units) and other relevant stakeholders when dealing with such cases.
Yes, 1 girl has been reunited with her family.
Yes, SAPS is following up on all these cases. The investigating officer has furnished his details to the media for anyone with information or for the families to come forward. The matter is currently before court for a formal bail application.
The SAPS is opposing bail and our assessment is that there is a strong case against the accused in this matter. The Investigating Officer is working closely with the National Prosecuting Authority on this case.
The girls were lured to the brothel by their so-called boyfriends. It is alleged that the suspect used to pay R500-00 for each girl. The boyfriends invited these girls to Durban under the pretext of arranging jobs for them.
Once they arrived in Durban they were made to work as prostitutes. These girls were under constant threats and forced to use crack cocaine.
The girls were forced to work for lengthy periods daily. The girls received an allowance of R25-00 whilst the suspects charged the clients R500-00. This modus operandi of luring young girls is commonly referred to as the "LOVERBOY" approach.
Some girls were homeless and friends arranged accommodation at the lodge for them. After staying a couple of days the suspect would inform them that they need to earn their keep by prostitution and selling drugs for him.
The girls came from various areas in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Most of the girls are from the greater Durban area.
Reply to question 26 approved by the Minister
Issued by Parliament, March 8 2012
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