Zambia Police Raise Awareness of Human Trafficking

The Zambia Police Service has warned the public to be alert and not fall prey to unverified job promises outside the country so as not to become victims of human trafficking.

In an interview, Zambia Police Assistant Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi said community members should take all precautions before they go to jobs promised to them outside the country.

Mr Chilabi said the police had recorded many instances of human trafficking, especially in border towns, with the country being a large target for human trafficking, an illegal industry that has women and children as its most frequent victims.

He added that the Zambian police were working with the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to try to prevent the trafficking.

He wanted to inform the public about the typical signs of human trafficking in progress and places to report suspected traffickers.

The information campaign was centred around the message “know before you go” because most people are desperate for job opportunities outside the country even if they don’t have the necessary qualifications.

There is a lack of information among the people on what signs to look out for when receiving promises of employment that seem too good to be true.  He said that while it is important to seek job opportunities outside the country people should be informed on those destinations and the type of employment being offered.

Community members expressed happiness over the information campaign that has started to be rolled out.  Mubita Kapinda said the information campaign on human trafficking has made her community aware of the vice and taught them how to report any suspicions they may have to the relevant offices.

Recently, six Senanga residents who were victims of human trafficking were rescued from Namibia with the help of the Zambia Police and the IOM having been trafficked by a Senanga resident promising them well-paying jobs in that country.

Source: Lusaka Times