Lesotho-born Thato was brought to South  Africa at age three, by a woman she knew simply as "granny". Five years later, her "granny" sold her into sexual slavery. The woman who bought her was running a sex ring that police are still investigating to find out how many children were involved.
   

It's a scenario that South African authorities and child welfare campaigners are already working to prevent during the football World Cup next year, which authorities fear could draw in child traffickers hoping to cash in on the fanfare around the games.
   

Thato, now 10, was rescued just three months ago by a social worker who brought her to Amazing Grace Children's Home, which houses 79 children outside Johannesburg.
   

The home's founder Grace Mashaba, who explained Thato's story, said her parents probably had no idea that the "granny" would sell their daughter.
   

"That 'granny' doesn't have children, so she keeps asking people, 'Can you  give me your child so she can stay with me?' She has a good house, so people trust in her," Mashaba said.
   

Thato at least was able to speak about her abuse. Another 10-year-old Lesotho girl rescued from the sex ring is too traumatised to talk, Mashaba said.
   

An estimated 247,000 children in South Africa now work in exploitive labour, including prostitution, according to the Child Protection Action Plan for the World Cup, created by the government's department of social development.
   

Campaigners worry that the problem will grow with the influx of tourists next year, especially as South African schools will be closed during the World  Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 11, meaning many children could be left unattended during the day.

Source: AFP