Biometric system expected to curb human trafficking
Minister Malusi Gigaba today addressed teenagers who have been victims of human trafficking.
JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Home Affairs says it expects the roll-out of the biometric capturing system at South Africa's ports of entry to decrease cases of human trafficking.
The system, which was introduced at the country's international airports last year, captures travellers' fingerprints in addition to the mandatory passport requirement - which will be rolled out to the six busiest land ports of entry later this year.
Minister Malusi Gigaba was speaking at The House Group this afternoon which accommodates teenagers who have been victims of human trafficking.
Gigaba was warmly received by a group of teenagers who were rescued from human traffickers.
Gigaba addressing young girls who've been victims of #HumanTraficking. MK pic.twitter.com/FLhiZ35jQx
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He began with words of encouragement.
"We love you very much and we will do everything we can to protect you."
He says while there is still no data reflecting the actual number of human trafficking cases affecting South Africa, ongoing initiatives are in place to tackle the crisis.
"The introduction of the biometric capture at our ports of entry, and its roll-out to land ports of entry, is going to lead to a drastic decline."
He says the biometric capturing system is only one of numerous systems put in place to curb human trafficking.
