ATM Parliament leader flags rising human trafficking during holidays

As South Africa approaches the festive season, authorities and civil society organisations are raising concerns about a spike in human trafficking. Parliamentary Leader of the African Transformation Movement Vuyo Zungula has called for heightened vigilance, warning that communities are particularly vulnerable during this period.

Zungula said the months from November to January typically see a surge in movement across national borders and between provinces. Major urban centres are filled with festive activity and nightlife, which create conditions for an increase in sex work. Many South Africans take leave for the festive season, opening opportunities for casual labour. These conditions, combined with high unemployment and illegal immigration, create fertile ground for traffickers. Zungula said children are also at risk, noting that school closures mean many roam the streets without adult supervision.

Human trafficking, he said, is a national security concern. It undermines the rule of law and creates fear and insecurity among citizens. In the first quarter of 2025, over one thousand trafficked illegal immigrants were rescued in Gauteng alone. The majority were Ethiopians and Somalians. Zungula said there has been little clarity on the whereabouts of these individuals, whether they have been returned to their home countries or remain in South Africa.

Over the years, thousands of illegal immigrants have been found in properties across the country, often victims of trafficking networks. Businesspeople have also been targeted, with cases typically involving ransom demands linked to failed deals. Zungula pointed to recent arrests of groups of Chinese nationals accused of human and drug smuggling and running prostitution rings that employed illegal immigrants. In August, social media influencers were reportedly used to lure young women to Russia under the guise of jobs and educational opportunities.

Zungula said society is often unaware of the extent of these activities. He questioned the role of crime intelligence, asking why such crimes continue to occur undetected. He said societal trust in law enforcement is declining, citing revelations at the Madlanga Commission and the Parliamentary Ad hoc Committee investigating allegations by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Zungula said panes have landed in South Africa carrying undocumented migrants from South Asia, the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. Some cases have involved Palestinians who paid significant sums without knowing their destinations. Zungula said these incidents resemble classic human trafficking operations. He raised concerns that non-governmental organisations working to protect trafficked individuals could be inadvertently supporting criminal syndicates.

Zungula said law enforcement must treat human trafficking with urgency. He said criminals in South Africa currently operate with impunity, emboldened by a lack of attention from government, business leaders and civil society. He added that the silence from the highest levels of leadership allows criminal networks to grow and signals that crime is not a priority for the state.

The festive season, he said, has become particularly dangerous because it coincides with increased social activity, business closures and a stretched police force. The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation and the South African Police Service have reported that human trafficking cases rise sharply during this period.

Zungula urged communities to be alert and report suspicious activity. He said protecting vulnerable citizens, especially children and migrants, requires cooperation between law enforcement, civil society and ordinary South Africans.

He said: “We must be aware of our surroundings and act to protect those at risk. Human trafficking threatens the security of our country and the safety of our citizens. The festive season should not become a time when criminals exploit our people and our borders.”

Authorities have said they are stepping up monitoring at major transport hubs, and investigations are ongoing into networks that traffic both persons and goods. Zungula said efforts must go beyond short-term operations to ensure sustained protection and enforcement. He also stressed that rescued individuals should receive support, and the state must account for their well-being and safe return if possible.

The Parliamentary Ad hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission continue to examine allegations of criminality within the South African justice system, highlighting gaps that traffickers exploit. Zungula said citizens cannot rely solely on the state and must remain vigilant.

He concluded: “The reality is that ordinary citizens are on the front line in the fight against crime. Awareness and reporting are key to saving lives and ensuring that traffickers are brought to justice.”