Human Trafficking in South Africa COVID-19 and online prostitution

Lack of jobs and poor living conditions, minors, and young people from surrounding countries, desperate for a better life, accept job offers without doing any research. They leave home, in hope of a better life, and living conditions. Earning an income, means that they can send money back home for their loved ones.

They are lured into South Africa in promise of a job offer. Innocent, and unknown to them, they fall victims of human trafficking and find themselves trapped in a dark and dangerous world whereby they are exploited, abused, raped daily, by 20 or more men a day and live in extreme poor conditions.

Thembi (name changed to protect survivor), was promised a job with good income, with her travelling expenses and accommodation covered by the recruiter. Excited, she packed her bags and left for South Africa, not knowing what awaited her.

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, she was taken to an apartment. She was pleased to see so many girls of her age, but she was not allowed to speak to them. She was shown to a room and was told that the Big Boss is on his way to meet her.  

A well-groomed Nigerian man arrived and Thembi she soon found out that the job she was offered was fake and she must do as instructed by the Big Boss or he will dispose of her. After raping her, he left. Shocked and shattered Thembi cried but had to get ready for work and her first client.

Thembi was forced to take illicit drugs, saying that it pleases the customers and she must keep them happy or she will be beaten up.  Thembi witnessed women being tortured and not given a meal for days because of not making the required amount for the day or following instructions.  Afraid of what she saw, she obeyed the manager.

Thembi was exploited into prostitution for 2 years and was abused by the manager, the Big Boss, and by her clients.  All money she made had to be given to the manager at the end of each day.

With restriction of movement due to the lockdown, Thembi and the many young women had hope for freedom. No more abuse, violence or to be forced to take drugs or forced into prostitution, but their dreams were soon shattered.

One day the Big Boss came in and told them that they now have a new job, they must perform online sex. He would regularly come to the apartment to monitor the operation. During his visit He would rape any one of the young ladies from the group and Thembi was always his target. She soon fell pregnant.

Thembi planned her escape, with no phone, money, or clothes, Thembi escaped and went to a nearby clinic for help. The doctor found that she was not only pregnant but intoxicated from the drugs. Thembi was treated and later discharged and placed in safety.

There are millions of women like Thembi globally, who fall victim of human trafficking and are exploited into prostitution, drugs, violence, and abuse. Thembi and her unborn baby are incredibly lucky to have escaped, sadly many do not make it. They are hunted down and taken back into the system or they are murdered.

We are encouraging people to do their research before accepting a job offer. You must not trust anyone, be it your friend, family member or a stranger.