South Africa has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the top-ten worldwide routes for trafficking in persons, or TIP, a massive phenomenon fuelled by poverty, forced migration, government corruption, and digital communications that decrease the distance between victim and perpetrator.

In his deep study of human trafficking in South Africa, Philip Frankel explores the nature of TIP, considers its manifestations in sex, child, labour, and organ trafficking, assesses its social impact, and evaluates the various counter-trafficking programs that have emerged in the region in recent years.