Are those involved in human trafficking becoming more brazen in their attempts to kidnap unsuspecting victims?
This comes after a failed kidnapping incident at Addington Hospital, Durban, on September 22. Two men, posing as officials from the Department of Home Affairs, arrived at the hospital. Wearing name tags from the Department, they easily gained access to the maternity ward.
Coming into the ward, the men explain they are at the hospital to collect mothers and their babies’. This was apparently to help the mothers register for their babies’ birth certificates. This allegedly formed part of the government’s campaign to register all babies within 30 days of their birth.
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The sister in charge of the hospital at the time of the incident, however, refused to let the men take the women and their babies. When the men saw their attempts were foiled, they left.
But, Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo finds the incident both shocking and a cause for concern. He claims this incident has all the makings of human trafficking.
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Furthermore, he claims the Department of Health as a partnership with the Department of Home Affairs. This partnership sees an online birth certificate registration system run. The system allows children born at major hospitals, which are specially designated for specialised maternal and child care, to obtain a birth certificate at the hospital. Addington Hospital is one such medical facility which has this system in place.
He claims the Health Department is extremely grateful for the sister. Through her following her instincts, the women and their infants are still safe.
But, Dhlomo is encouraging security personnel, nursing staff and even mothers to be extra vigilant and cautious. With unscrupulous people prowling for victims, going as far as to reproduce departmental name tags, shows how far they are willing to go.
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The relevant authorities were notified of the incident and further investigations are underway. While investigations are in full swing, what are your thoughts on the situation? Leave your views in the comments section below.
