SAPS calls on truckers to join crime-fighting initiative

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has called on truck operators to assist in the fight against human trafficking and smuggling by encouraging truck drivers to share information gathered on their routes. According to Lt Colonel Liezel van der Merwe of the

Hawks, truck drivers are often privy to information by virtue of the work they do. “They may think the information they have is insignificant or unimportant, but to us it may very well be vital in saving someone’s life.” She told attendees at the monthly Transport Forum in Cape Town last week that the police were reaching out to the transport industry as victims of trafficking were being brought into the country either on the back of trucks or on buses. “A truck driver on a route  might just see something that can assist us,” she said. “They are also on the same routes often and can immediately tell if something is suspicious or different as they know what to expect. They are an excellent source of intelligence for investigators.” According to Van der Merwe, since very few statistics are available on human trafficking – which is largely underreported – transport operations are in a position to assist investigators. “Potential victims are not able to speak for themselves and often not able to speak the local languages. These are all signs of a possible trafficked person,” she said. “Also, we would rather be called with information that turns out to be of no value than not get the call and find that someone has been taken against their will and trafficked.” She said all calls were handled with the utmost confidentiality and callers could remain anonymous if they preferred. She also called on people working at border posts and ports of entry to keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour. “More often than not victims are in plain sight but we just don’t see them,” she said. According to Van der Merwe the call is not to ask transporters or their drivers to intervene, but rather to just share information. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the South African National Human Trafficking Resource Line at 0800 222 777. Police are reaching out to the transport industry as victims of trafficking are being brought into the country on the back of trucks or on buses. – Liezl van der Merwe