21 Mar 2016

Human trafficking has been described as the recruitment, transportation, transfer or receiving another person by means of threat or use of force or other forms of abduction, fraud or deception or abuse of power.

 Senior management officers from the Ministry of Defense, Justice and Security addressed Kgatleng district full council members on human trafficking in Mochudi.

The deputy manager from Trafficking in Persons Mr Madoda Nasha said the purpose of the presentation was to sensitise the community about human trafficking as a global concern and educate members on ways to prevent it.

He told the councillors that in 2012, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated that at any time, 20.9 million people worldwide are engaged in this type of forced labour.

Mr Nasha further said in 2014 ILO estimated that the use of forced labour worldwide generated about US$150 billion per year in illegal profits.

He differentiated between human trafficking and smuggling saying a trafficked person is subject to force, fraud or coercion whereas smuggled person is generally cooperating and knowingly violate the law.

Mr Nasha said trafficking occurs both locally and internationally adding further that it occurs when people develop the zeal to travel or stay abroad, through traditional practices, educational and employment opportunities.

He noted that anyone can be affected and the most vulnerable victims are women, children, the unemployed and to some extent the elderly for organ harvesting.

He said the culprits can be individuals, syndicates and organised criminals.

Mr Nasha said there are indicators that human trafficking exists in Botswana. He noted that a study is being carried out by SADC to verify this.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr Moore Gondo said government has come up with initiatives that will protect and educate Batswana on human trafficking. He noted that the Anti-Human Trafficking act No.32 of 2014 of Botswana domesticates the United Nations Protocol to prevent, and punish trafficking persons, especially in women and children. He further said all Batswana need to be sensitised and be well informed about the Act for proper and effective address of the crime.

He said the government is training law enforcement agencies, focal persons in districts, hosting programmes on radio and television and they have already formed a group in Maun which has over 200 people who are trained to educate Batswana on human trafficking. 

Councillors appreciated the presentation on human trafficking and said it was critical that all Batswana be educated on this issue to avoid and prevent it at all costs.

Councillor Tshepo Kwapa of Mosomane said he was worried about the use of technology which was growing at a rampant rate in Botswana and argued that the use of Facebook has become dangerous as Batswana are cheated through such social media platforms. He said his major concerns are orphans as they are more vulnerable than those children who have families.

Councillor Gomolemo Gouwe of Boseja North said he would be pleased if social workers and people living in the cattle posts were educated about this issue.

He said people who own farms should also be taught about these issues so that they are careful not to engage underage children to care for their farms.  Ends