Johannesburg - Up to 250 000 South Africans live under conditions described as modern slavery, according to a shocking global slavery index.
The index, complied by the International Walk Free Foundation, which aims to end slavery, says 45.8 million men, women and children across the globe are trapped in modern slavery. This is 28 percent more than previously estimated.
“North Korea has the greatest prevalence of modern slavery, with 4.37 percent of its population estimated to be enslaved. It is also the country with the weakest government response in terms of actions taken to combat modern slavery.
The next highest prevalence of slavery is found in Uzbekistan (3.97 percent), followed by Cambodia (1.65 percent),” the foundation says.
According to the index, South Africa ranks 27 out of 167 countries on the prevalence of slavery, which accounts for 0.45 percent of the country’s population.
But while this number may be considered low by some, the picture is bleaker, as the report warns that more than 45 percent of South Africans are vulnerable to modern slavery due to a number of reasons such as poverty, poor wages and crime.
“The legacy of apartheid, perpetuating beliefs about racial superiority and inferiority, coupled with concerning economic disparity, rising violence against minorities, and widespread discrimination and brutality against women increased people’s vulnerability to exploitation,” the study said regarding South Africa.
A total of 103 461 victims of modern slavery were subjected to commercial sexual exploitation, while an estimated 10 631 women were victims of forced marriage.
The study said that while, according to Unicef, South Africa has one of the lowest rates of child marriages in sub-Saharan Africa, some traditional practices were fuelling forced and early marriages.
An example was ukuthwala, which involves the kidnapping and rape of potential brides to force her family to endorse marriage negotiations. Forced labour was another concern in South Africa, with thousands employed as domestic workers on poor wages, others working in drug production, and foreigners exploited in mining, manufacturing and the hospitality sector.
Among children, who are legally allowed to work only from 15, slavery was prevalent in agriculture and domestic services. The report also said many children are forced to beg and into street vending.
The report acknowledges the government is taking steps to curb modern slavery. They include proclaiming the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, which closes gaps in legislation and makes it easier to prosecute human trafficking, as well as new stricter immigration laws.
There is also a call for the state to initiate a counter-corruption strategy and investigate, prosecute and imprison syndicates exploiting women and children.