The highlight of the visit was to create an awareness on Human Trafficking and its dangers since, it is already prevalent in some areas of Northern Cape Province.
THE Hawks Serious Organised Crime Unit honoured an invite from Department of Social Development to visit Roodepan High School on an awareness programme on Wednesday, 11 May 2022.
The highlight of the visit was to create an awareness on Human Trafficking and its dangers since, it is already prevalent in some areas of Northern Cape Province.
The Hawks spokesperson Captain Tebogo Thebe said the department had identified a need to visit the said school, after an outcry from the community of Roodepan about children who are recruiting other young girls for the purpose of trafficking.
Thebe said there were also allegations of emergence of gangs in the area.
He further explained that Serious Organised Crime Investigation team is ordinarily tasked with investigating and prevention of gangs and human trafficking.
An integrated approach was identified as the best model to tackle the community’s problem.
Other stakeholders such as the National Prosecuting Authority, Thuthuzela and Lifeline were part of the day’s programme.
“The dangers of gangs were also discussed with the learners, speakers from the mentioned departments took turns in advising of available opportunities, and for them to work hard for a good future, as good education is the only weapon to achieve that,” said Thebe.
He said social media was flagged as a major contributing factor in trafficking, and other young girls being used to recruit their friends for the purpose of trafficking.
The meeting resolved that more needs to be done on the subject matter for positive results to be realised.
