Mozambique girls targeted for sex work at 2010 World Cup: police

Jose Come, director of intelligence services, told reporters in Maputo police knew of gangs involved in recruiting girls to work in the sex trade in South Africa, using false pretenses.

 The gangs were using the World Cup as a carrot, promising the girls, who are usually aged between 13 and 18, they could expect a better life in neighbouring South Africa as a result of increased investment into the country ahead of the tournament.

 "The police know of these moves and we've already put in place measures to curb the smuggling of girls, in particular, and the human trafficking, in general," he said.

 Several cases of trafficking of young Mozambican women to South Africa have come to light in recent months. Police estimate the number of number of trafficking victims at around 1,000 annually.

 Up to 450,000 visitors are expected at the World Cup, which South Africa is the first African country to host.

DPA