Zikhale warns human traffickers

Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng’oma says government is adopting a tougher stance on perpetrators of trafficking in persons in response to global calls to end the vice.

The minister said this on Friday ahead of the commemoration of the World Trafficking in Persons Day set aside by the United Nations to be commemorated annually on July 30.

“We have increased surveillance and networks with non-governmental organisations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime [UNODC] and the Malawi Network Against Trafficking in Persons ,” he said.

As part of government’s commitment to end trafficking in persons, Ng’oma said K400 million has been set aside to support programmes including repatriation of trafficked persons and support to survivors.

He said recently, Malawi intercepted 138 people who were being trafficked and 78 traffickers were arrested in the process.

Said minister: “And 21 of the rescued people were from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“Most victims are trafficked for forced labour, prostitution, domestic work and children mostly are trafficked for child labour in farms and homes.”

According to UNODC, primary targets of trafficking in persons come from poor families and are uneducated come from poor countries and job seekers who are easily enticed with employment opportunities.

On his part, Malawi Network Against Trafficking in Persons national coordinator Caleb Thole said the country is on the right path such that in the past year, 370 trafficked people were rescued.

He said with the Trafficking in Persons Information Systems in place, the country is optimistic to document accurate data for trafficked persons.