Trends, Precipitating Factors and Control of Human Trafficking in South Africa and Zimbabwe

This paper explores the scourge of human trafficking in South Africa and Zimbabwe - two neighboring Southern African nations. Data for this study were obtained from research articles, documents and online articles on trafficking in persons. The paper highlights the trends, push/pull factors, the control, as well as the obstacles to effective control of human trafficking within the two countries. The paper reveals that South Africa is characterized by pull factors, largely due to its position as the economic powerhouse of Southern Africa. Conversely, human trafficking in Zimbabwe is mainly spurred by push factors emanating from acute socio-economic problems. Despite significant efforts in the control of trafficking in persons through legislation and enforcement, loopholes in the trafficking in persons legislation within the two nations, as well as persistent economic challenges in Zimbabwe, are impeding the effective control of human trafficking.