NOTE: This article has since been updated since the original publication on Monday, 2 September 2019. The update comes after new information about the World Mission Society Church of God has been brought to our attention, regarding false allegations relating to the Church of God, which preaches about God the Mother. Investigations conducted by police authorities disprove the allegations. We apologise for including a human trafficking syndicate statement regarding the World Mission Society Church of God in the first version of the article.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) students are warned to stay vigilant, as possible sex traffickers allegedly tried to strike at its District Six campus.

CPUT students are urged to be vigilant after an alleged attempted abduction

According to the Weekend Argus, CPUT experienced an attempted abduction of a student, at its District Six Campus. It is reported that the student was walking out of the campus towards a nearby robot when a black vehicle emerged.

A man allegedly came out of the car and charged towards the student, and there was no one else in the vicinity, instantly the student decided to run. Upon looking back, she saw the man returning to the vehicle and speeding off.

“Everything must have happened too fast because she doesn’t recall the model of the vehicle. She ran to the nearest campus.” Student Representative Council president Sipho Mokoena

Mokoena said safety tips will be shared on social media, and the student council has initiated awareness posters that will be shared at the District Six and Mowbray campuses.

Human trafficking is a fast-growing industry

It is reported that human trafficking is a fast-growing industry, and in recent months the Department of Community Safety issued a statement pleading with citizens to be more vigilant when applying for jobs, as this method is also used to entice victims into human trafficking syndicates.

The department also revealed how human trafficking victims can be identified:

They might be controlled by another person and are not free to communicate or move freely.

They might be unpaid paid very little or only paid through tips.

Exhibit poor mental and physical health including substance abuse, signs of physical abuse or malnourishment.

They avoid eye contact or have few personal possessions.

Are not permitted to speak for themselves, a third party may insist on being present.

Have a limited ability to speak the local language and have little knowledge of their current location.

More than 35% of victims of human trafficking are women

The United Nations has initiated 30 July, as the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime unit recorded more than 225,000 victims of human trafficking worldwide in the past 16 years.