10 Jul 2014

A piece of legislation that will combat and punish human trafficking needs to be implemented immediately.

This call was made by Kweneng East MP, Major General Moeng Pheto when debating the Anti-Human Trafficking Bill that was presented to Parliament by Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse.

The Kweneng East legislator said despite the fact that the crime of trafficking in persons was a new phenomenon in the country,  it was a disturbing trend that needed to be dealt with as soon as possible.

“The act of human trafficking is barbaric in its nature. As leaders we should also look into incentives that drive young people into this trade. Batswana are desperate for well-paying job opportunities and that is when they fall into the trap of being taken away into the unknown” added Pheto.

Maj. Gen. Pheto said human trafficking was rife in Asian countries and studies have shown that it was because they engaged in the so called lucrative commercial sex trade.

He warned that the trade of trafficking people had also filtered into African states as has been the case with countries like Nigeria amongst others. It is also disturbing to note that some of our very own engage in illicit trade when they cross borders.

For his part the Minister of Lands and Housing who is also Member of Parliament for Boteti North Mr Lebonaamang Mokalake said it was very important to implement the law that will avert trafficking. He said the law that specifically deals with the issue of trafficking was long overdue.

He noted that Batswana were a peace loving nation and many people took advantage of that for mischievous means.

The Bill is an Act to give effect to the United Nations Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, to provide for prohibition, prevention and combating of human trafficking, to provide for measure to protect and assist victims of trafficking in persons and related matters. ENDS