SA drafts legislation on human trafficking

Participants at the Special Women's Parliament

With human trafficking on the increase across the world and here at home, South Africa is under pressure to enact legislation combatting it. Over the next two days the Special Women's Parliament will discuss the issue. It is estimated that four million people are victims of trafficking worldwide, mostly women and children from the third world, who are sold as prostitutes and slaves.

The UN says it is becoming more lucrative than the drug trade. Legislation being drafted, will criminalise human trafficking in South Africa. "The object of the bill is to give effect so that those who traffic will be prosecuted and to combat trafficking," Zubeda Seedat of the South African Law Reform Commission. Those found guilty will face imprisonment of up to 20 years.

Baleka Mbete, the speaker of the National Assembly, says South Africa needs to make progress with regard to legislation.