Question NW3287 to the Minister of Social Development
24 October 2022 - NW3287
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether, considering that there is evidence to suggest that vulnerable children are being offered for sale on social media platforms by South Africans acting as fake lawyers and/or adoption practitioners (details furnished), her department has been informed that social media is allegedly being used as a platform for human trafficking; if not, why not; if so, what steps has her department taken to stop the unlawful practice and protect vulnerable children; (2) whether her department collaborates with other departments on programmes to educate South Africans on official adoption channels; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. No, the Department has not been informed that social media is allegedly being used as a platform for human trafficking of vulnerable children by South Africans acting as fake lawyers and/or adoption practitioners.
2. Yes, the Department collaborate with other government departments on programmes to educate South Africans on official adoption channels. Other departments like the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the Department of Home Affairs participate when awareness campaigns to promote adoption services are conducted.