MALAWI INTENSIFIES FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Minister of Homeland Security, Richard Chimwendo Banda says the country is leaving no stone unturned in the fight against human trafficking.
The Minister asserted in Blantyre when he officially opened a day-long human trafficking orientation to traditional leaders.
Banda said Government believes that chiefs and other society leaders play a crucial role in tightening security and stopping human trafficking.
“This Administration is fully aware of the roles chiefs play. We want to collaborate with you so that we stop this vice of human trafficking. We are very serious and we need your support. In 2019, 147 people were rescued from traffickers and in 2020, 688 people who were on the verge to be trafficked were intercepted. currently over 70 people are to answer charges of aiding human traffickers. So you might see that this malpractice is on the rise hence this training,” said the Minister.
One of the facilitators, Maxwell Matewere, National Programme Officer, Drugs and Crime at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said human traffickers are very cunning and shrewd hence the need for chiefs and society leaders to be highly alert.
“Children from areas we are coming from get trafficked under our watch. Traffickers are full of specialised tricks. During this orientation, we will enlighten you on how to spot the red flags that even under the covers of religion, child adoption, lucrative job offers, orphanages and scholarships among others,” said Matewere.
In his presentation, Caleb Thole, National Coordinator for Malawi Network Against Trafficking(MNAT) said chiefs and all people of goodwill should take a keen interest in spotting and reporting traffickers.
“Let us be very observant in our areas. There are hotspots like lodges, restaurants, entertainment places among others where you can identify young men and women who are overworked and have no permanent home. Get an interest to probe how they got to this place and who is behind all this and report to security agents because victims of human trafficking are heavily exploited including sexual abuse,” said Thole.
One of the Chiefs from Mwanza said the training has been an eye opener and he returns home horning new skills to counter the vice.
He said: “We will be vigilant to ensure all unchartered routes are not being used as highways for traffickers.”
The Government has taken a tough stand against all who aid traffickers. Recently 12 police officers were fired in Mzuzu and 10 interdicted in Kasungu for getting involved in human trafficking.