Joshlin Smith has been missing since February 19, 2024. According to the NGO Missing Children South Africa, nearly 1 000 children were reported missing in 2024 alone, with many never found.
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A disturbing surge in human trafficking incidents across South Africa has raised fresh concerns about the fate of thousands of missing individuals in the country. Activists are increasingly asking: Are South Africa’s missing people being trafficked to other countries?
On Thursday, police uncovered scenes that point to a growing network of international trafficking syndicates operating within South Africa’s borders. A group of over 30 foreign nationals was discovered in a locked house in Johannesburg’s eastern suburbs, held against their will for months.
The individuals, mostly young Ethiopian men and teenagers, reportedly arrived in South Africa believing they were headed for work opportunities - a common lure used by traffickers. Investigators now believe the house was a transit point for trafficking victims en route to other countries. While this case has drawn widespread attention, it is far from isolated.
In February, a joint operation between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and INTERPOL in Durban led to the discovery of a human trafficking ring involving 19 Bangladeshi nationals. These victims were found in cramped, poorly ventilated conditions in a warehouse, awaiting illegal transport across the border into Mozambique.
Another troubling incident took place in Cape Town in late 2023, when law enforcement rescued six young women from Malawi who were forced into sexual exploitation. The women had been moved through several provinces before being hidden in a suburban house near Bellville.
According to the NGO Missing Children South Africa, nearly 1 000 children were reported missing in 2024 alone, with many never found. While some cases involve runaways or domestic disputes, there is growing concern that a significant number may be victims of trafficking, either within South Africa or across international borders.
“Human trafficking is a hidden crime, and South Africa has become a key hub,” says human rights lawyer Thandi Mokoena. “It’s no longer just about people being brought here — we’re also seeing South Africans and residents being taken out, often into networks spanning Africa, the Middle East, and Europe,” Mokoena notes that South Africa’s porous borders, weak enforcement, and high unemployment make the country vulnerable to both inbound and outbound trafficking.
The Department of Home Affairs has admitted to gaps in border surveillance and migrant tracking. Meanwhile, the Border Management Authority says they are working with police and international agencies to disrupt smuggling routes and rescue victims. Still, critics argue that current efforts fall short.
“For every house that’s raided, there are probably ten more in operation,” says Sipho Mahlangu, a private investigator specialising in missing persons cases. “We’re just scratching the surface.”