United States places South Africa on human trafficking watch list

The United States’ Department of State has placed South Africa on a human trafficking watch list, citing alleged failures by the government to demonstrate progress in tackling the crime.

The US State Department published its 25th edition of the Trafficking in Persons Report on 29 September.

The department said the report “pushes countries to take serious action against forced labor and sex trafficking and ensures that those who fail to act face consequences.” 

Consequences include facing possible US sanctions, a devastating blow to a country that exported R156.6 billion worth of goods to America in 2024.

South Africa was downgraded to a “Tier 2 Watch List, ” meaning that the country must demonstrate greater efforts in tackling the issue.

“Significant efforts included launching the country’s first sub-provincial task team and convicting more traffickers,” said the US State Department.

“However, the government identified fewer victims, investigated fewer cases, and initiated fewer prosecutions.”

The department said that there was poor coordination among agencies, limited understanding of trafficking and referral procedures, and inconsistent screening that left victims vulnerable to penalization.

It added that victim services were inadequate, with certification delays blocking access to urgent care,

This is while law enforcement lacked proper training, reports of official complicity persisted and key regulations needed to implement the anti-trafficking law, said the State department.

Recommendations include:

• Strengthen prosecutions and penalties for traffickers and complicit officials.
• Identify and refer victims promptly and victim-centred policies.
• Implement adequate regulations and provide frontline training and resources.
• Protect victims from punishment for acts committed under trafficking.
• Improve reporting, interdepartmental collaboration, and oversight of labor recruiters.
• Expand shelters and certify victims regardless of criminal case participation.
• Ratify international amendments empowering non-law enforcement officials to identify victims.

Newsday could not get a response from the Department of Justice by time of publication. Comment will be added if received.

This sanction threat is yet another aspect to South Africa’s deterioating relationship with the White House since President Donald Trump came back to office.

He has taken aim at the country’s domestic and international policies, and has accused the South African government of persecuting its white minority, an allegation that Pretoria strongly denies.

Trump has launched a refugee program for Afrikaans South Africans, as well as imposed steep tariffs on the country. 

Human trafficking is a major problem in South Africa

The TEARS Foundation said that “human trafficking in South Africa is a significant concern, with the country being a source, transit, and destination point for trafficked individuals.”

Some key statistics include:

• Over 70% of trafficking victims in South Africa are trafficked for sexual exploitation.
• Approximately 155,000 people are living in modern slavery in South Africa.
• The majority of trafficking victims are women and children.

Earlier this year, South African Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, said that in 2024/25 a total of 234 identified victims of trafficking were rescued and assisted in the country.

Recent data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2024 documents a 25% global increase in detected trafficking victims – with children accounting for 38%.

Internationally, trafficking for forced labour and criminality is expanding, particularly affecting those displaced by economic hardship.

According to a UN report, Africa is now a major source and destination region, with intra-continental trafficking on the rise.

“It takes many insidious forms, each involving exploitation through force, fraud, or coercion,” said Nel.

“It can be sex trafficking, labour trafficking, forms of child trafficking, forced labour, illegal adoption, organ trafficking, forced marriage, debt bondage and forced criminality and strips victims of their autonomy and human dignity.”

Nel said South Africa’s poverty, inequality, unemployment, and gender-based violence make people vulnerable to trafficking.

The Constitution and the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act provide a legal framework, with victim-centred protections, harsh penalties, and multi-disciplinary support services, he said.

The deputy minister stated that national and provincial task teams, trained frontline officials, accredited shelters, and civil society partnerships coordinate efforts in prevention, victim identification, and prosecution.

He concluded that ending trafficking requires coordinated, strategic, and committed action from all sectors, officials, and communities.