The Efficacy of Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) legal instruments and policies to combat trafficking in persons in the SADC region.

Abstract

This research aimed at assessing the efficacy of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Legal and Policy Instruments to Combat Trafficking in Persons in the SADC Region. The study was carried out using an interpretive research philosophy and a qualitative (inductive) research approach. It used a case study research design and drew conclusions from three SADC vi countries namely: Zimbabwe, South Africa and Malawi. The main aim of the study was divided into four objectives: to examine the effectiveness of the Ten (10) Year SADC Strategic Plan of Action in combating trafficking in persons in the region; to examine the effectiveness of the SADC Gender and Development Policy in combating trafficking of women in the region; to assess the effectiveness of the SADC Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters in combating Trafficking in Persons in the region and to evaluate the effectiveness of the SADC Regional Trafficking in Persons Data Collection system in combating trafficking in persons in the region. Nonetheless, the SADC Legal and Policy instruments to combat TIP in the region was found to be less effective. This was attributed to lack of effective implementation; weak institutional capacity, inadequate data management of TIP cases; lack of political will by member states and lack of robust cooperation between and among SADC member states on mutual assistance in investigating, repatriating and prosecution of offenders. Therefore, the research recommends that SADC member states should strengthen their cooperation, collaboration and commitment towards full implementation of the legal and policy frameworks in place in order to eradicate all forms of Trafficking in Persons and its root causes.