05 Dec 2023

It is important to intensify public education to guard against incidents of human trafficking.

The sentiments were expressed by Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe East, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana in his debate on the Anti-Human Trafficking Bill on Monday.

He also urged government to come up with a special unit that would focus on addressing related cases, adding that security at points of entry must be strengthened to curb instances where Botswana was used as a transit route.

He said the country must also stand firm and protect women and children as they were mostly victims of human trafficking.  

Giving his take, Gaborone North MP, Mr Mpho Balopi said issues of slavery, migration and human trafficking were related.

He said where possible, Batswana should retrace their roots to where a community used to show concern whenever there was suspicioun of an unknown member of the community.

MP for Takatokwane, Mr Tshoganetso Leuwe said it was time for government to establish a unit within law enforcement that was focused on human trafficking and empowered with the requisite skills and resources.

For his part, Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe of Serowe North said it was a concern that people were disappearing in large numbers and later found dead with some missing body parts while others were never found.

Tati East MP, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe said the bill was an answer to the current challenge of missing persons later found dead.

Dr Letsholathebe said human trafficking was not only across borders as it could even be done locally as long as one was used in a way that was not desirable such as getting engaged as a farm worker.

He thus encouraged government to come up with ways of protecting its citizens by making it easier for them to explore job opportunities outside the country. “We want our people to go out there, earn such foreign currencies and benefit the economy.

Mochudi West MP, Mr Mmusi Kgafela said it was important to close all loopholes to ensure that the country was compliant in fighting trafficking in persons by among others tightening the charges to include imprisonment.

He said any business thrives on the availability of a market or consumer. Therefore, Mr Kgafela emphasised the need to guard against acts of slavery and human trafficking to safeguard trade relations with international markets.

He said in instances where the production cost was low it was likely that people who were engaged in such a business were slaves.

Mr Kgafela said hospitality and entertainment industries were prone to engage people as slaves and sex workers hence the need to keep an open eye. He proposed that the maximum charge or jail term must remain open to even include life imprisonment. Ends