Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 2013

Brief Description

The Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013 (Act No 7 of 2013) has been enacted to give effect to the Republic’s obligation concerning the trafficking in persons. The Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013 (Act No 7 of 2013) protects women and children from trafficking and related unlawful acts. The legislation fulfills the objectives to provide for an offence of trafficking in persons and other offences associated with trafficking in persons to prevent and combat the trafficking in persons within or across the borders of the Republic; to provide for measures to protect and assist victims of trafficking in persons; and to provide for the establishment of the Intersectoral Committee on Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons and the criminalization of practices resulting in forced and early marriages and harmful cultural and traditional practices such as Ukuthwala. It has also the effect of domesticating the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has established a Human Trafficking Task Team that ensures an integrated approach to address trafficking related matters.