The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster in South Africa has raised alarms over the controversial Start Program, a scheme from Russia that has recently gained the attention of local influencers. This two-year programme, luring young women with promises of professional skills acquisition, has become the focus of urgent investigations amid fears of potential human trafficking schemes associated with it.
In an official statement disseminated via social media platform X, the cluster has urged the public to exercise extreme caution when evaluating international job opportunities. “Do not rely solely on social media promotions,” they advised. Furthermore, they encouraged individuals to “always cross-check and get a second opinion from a trusted source.” The cluster emphasised that jobs should be verified through official channels, recommending direct contact with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) or the South African embassies in the respective countries where such opportunities are advertised.
Despite the warnings, the promotion of the Start Program by certain influencers has not gone unnoticed, causing a stir in South African media and social circles. Reports have surfaced linking the programme to human trafficking, detailing cases where predominantly adolescent girls from various African nations are allegedly coerced into substandard working conditions in Russia’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone situated in Tatarstan.
Social media reactions have further intensified the situation, with many users calling for accountability from influencers endorsing the Start Program. A growing chorus of dissent has emerged, insisting that those involved in promoting what some label a “human trafficking scheme” must face consequences. Comments on X encapsulated the public sentiment: “This is beyond alarming. Anyone involved in promoting the human trafficking scheme must be held accountable, and those claiming to support women can’t keep standing by silently.”
The economic climate in South Africa has been tough, leading many young women to seek desperate opportunities, even amidst glaring red flags. Skepticism surrounding the integrity of the influencers involved has resulted in numerous calls for their public unfollowing, with some commenters asserting, “This is proof that some influencers will literally promote anything if the money’s right, even if it ruins lives.”
As the scrutiny of the Start Program continues, it stands as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance in the digital age, particularly in evaluating opportunities that seem promising but may carry hidden dangers.
