09 Oct 2019

Government  is in the process of constructing two centres for human trafficking victims. 

Human Trafficking Unit manager in the Ministry of Defense, Justice and Security Mr Madoda Nasha revealed this at an awareness workshop on October 8.

Mr Nasha explained that one centre would be in the southern part of the country and the other in the north.

The centres would be run by civil society to complement government efforts, he said.

For his part, Senior Superintendent Kuda Seretse of Botswana Police Service observed that human trafficking cases were too costly for government due to long processes and lack of shelter for accommodating victims during investigations.

Currently, victims of human trafficking were housed in hotels while investigations were ongoing, he said.

He observed that victims of human trafficking also required medical and counselling  assistance.

Senior Superintendent Seretse said after completion of all processes, victims were given a chance to choose whether to return to their areas of origin or to relocate to avoid victimisation.

He noted that some victims suffered loss of income and all possessions prior to being  trafficked.

Four victims were recently returned to their places of origin while 14 victims were still hosted by the law enforcers pending investigations. 

ENDS