During the 2024/2025 financial year, 11 survivors of trafficking received support through shelters funded by the Western Cape Department of Social Development.

This was revealed by MEC for the Department of Social Development (DSD), Jaco Londt while attending the West Coast District Municipality (WCDM), in partnership with several key stakeholders, hosted a Human Trafficking Conference in Moorreesburg under the theme “Global Crisis, Local Action: A Community United Against Trafficking.”

A particularly impactful moment came from Advocate Zelda Swanepoel, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, who shared her insights and experiences from the Joshlin Smit case, a case that captured national attention and laid bare the devastating realities of human trafficking within local communities.

The event brought together government officials, justice representatives, community leaders, and advocacy organizations to confront one of the world’s most urgent human rights challenges — human trafficking.

GUEST 1: JACO LONDT - MEC FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (WESREN CAPE)

GUEST 2: CAITLIN DE JAGER – A21 REPRESENTATIVE