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Sharp increase in kidnappings and human trafficking worries experts BY Ronelle Snyders
Experts warn of increasing kidnappings and human trafficking in South Africa and urge increased security measures at home.
Missing children and people are a source of great concern with a large number of unsolved cases, experts say.
Silverton police spokesman Ao Isaac Mcunu said police were continuing the investigation to locate Boitumelo Mabusela, who went missing five months ago in February, and asked the public to come forward with any information that might help in the case.
In April this year, a Centurion mother’s search for her son ended tragically when she found him in a morgue two weeks after his disappearance.
Missing persons cases a major concern
Missing Children South Africa national coordinator, Bianca van Aswegen, said children and people missing in South Africa were causing great concern.“Kidnapping and human trafficking have increased tremendously. We need to understand reality and start implementing more security measures as security starts at home,” she said.
Van Aswegen said there is no waiting period to report a person or child missing.
“Missing Children South Africa assists with all missing persons cases across South Africa.
“We have many cases that are still unresolved, but as an organization, we never give up on any of our cases and make sure everything possible is done.”
Van Aswegen said that no matter how old the case was, that person or child should never be forgotten. All “cold” cases should appear regularly in the media to create awareness and can lead to information that can help resolve the matter.
SA needs Amber Missing Alert System
Victimologist Professor Jaco Barkhuizen said the Joslyn Smit case was a good example of why South Africa needed an Amber Missing Alert System.“The sooner we have eyes and ears on the ground when someone goes missing, the quicker we’ll be able to find them,” he said.
“The whole wait for 24 hours to report the case is a myth,” he added.
Barkhuizen said a missing case should be reported immediately.
“The problem with these cases was that we weren’t keeping up with the cause: is it someone running away from home, someone trying to disappear, or someone being kidnapped?”
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