(TALKZIMBABWE) US human trafficking report on Zimbabwe inaccurate

US human trafficking report on Zimbabwe inaccurate
Sixpence Manyengavana - Opinion
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:05:00 +0000

FOLLOWING the publication of a report by the Central Intelligence Agency on its website alleging that Zimbabwe, among a host of other countries, was not complying with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons, a research was done to establish the real fact on what Zimbabwe is doing to combat the problem.

The government of Zimbabwe has realized that the country has not been spared by the problem of human trafficking that has affected so many countries in the world. Having noticed that the country has become the source, transit and destination for human trafficking, government has made great strides to combat this unavoidable situation which is not of our making.

Though the problem of human trafficking might appear to be a concern for security agents, it has devastating effects that directly affect the general populace in countries where it is prevalent.

The following have been observed to be the direct effects of the problems of human trafficking: it deprives people of their human rights and freedoms, global health is put at risk, it promotes social breakdown and causes family disintegration, it deprives countries of their human capital as well as fuelling growth of organized crimes and above all facilitates the movement and relocation of terrorists.

Human trafficking in Zimbabwe has over the years become a reality reaching alarming levels.

This illicit trade entails coercion and exploitation and involves the recruitment, transportation and transfer of victims who often pay huge sums of money to their traffickers and in turn are offered better opportunities than they can find in their communities.

Zimbabwe’s human trafficking situation should be distinctively categorized in two groups.

The first involves Zimbabweans and the second, foreigners. Both groups are, however, being trafficked in search for better economic opportunities mostly in South Africa.

Zimbabwe has traditionally been used as transit route for refugee and asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region, who seek better opportunities in South Africa and some go as far as United Kingdom.

Human trafficking syndicates have capitalized on these developments to facilitate the easy movement of these people who are often made to pay huge sums of money for their safe passage into South Africa and the UK.

Following the land reform programme in 2000, Zimbabwe has been slapped with illegal sanctions by the Brettons Woods Institutions, a move that has seen a dismal economic performance and deteriorating standards of living for the majority.

In this regard, Zimbabweans have joined the bandwagon of the trek into the diaspora in search for better opportunities.

As a way of combating the unchecked movement of Zimbabweans who go to South Africa in search of employment opportunities, the Ministry of Labour and Social Services signed a labour migration bi-lateral agreement with its counterpart in South Africa in August 2009.

This new arrangement is regularizing issues of labour migration between the two countries.

The prospective Zimbabwean employees will go through specific labour and social services offices in Beitbridge, Chiredzi and Masvingo.

In addition they will be issued with special identification documents. The South African government, on the other hand, will ensure that the employees are accorded the full protection of South African labour laws.

This move has automatically rendered null and void human trafficking syndicates who initially were paid huge sums of money by Zimbabweans intending to relocate to South Africa.

Some of the human trafficking organisers in this country are recognized asylum seekers in South Africa and also possess passports from their countries of origin enabling them to travel within the region and beyond, conducting their nefarious human trafficking activities. On several occasions these individuals have been arrested and subsequently deported.

The country is spearheading the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee to effectively stop human trafficking activities. The committee is comprised of the Department of Immigration, Department of Social Welfare (refugee section), Zimbabwe Republic Police, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe and Air Zimbabwe as well as other security departments.

The committee is responsible for coordinating the identification of human traffickers, agents, victims as well as push for legislation outlawing human trafficking such that the accused can be brought to book.

Cooperation amongst Sadc states in the establishment of similar committees within member countries who will exchange information will be pivotal if the human trafficking scourge is to be effectively controlled.

The security organs have pushed the Department of Immigration Control to introduce a piece of legislation to levy airlines that bring in trafficked persons who are classified as inadmissibles. They have also introduced what is called “entry denial” whereby they flush out these suspects upon arrival at the ports of entry.

The issuance of visas has also been tightened. Some travel tour operators were now being used by traffickers to apply group visas for trafficked persons. Those found wanting on this matter will have their operating licences withdrawn.

With the full knowledge that the United States government is responsible for catalyzing the economic downturn in this country when it introduced the so called Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (Zidera), the Central Intelligence Agency published a damning report about human trafficking in this country.

The American spy agency has even watch-listed Zimbabwe as one of the countries that are not doing enough to solve the problem of human trafficking.

The report lacks content and does not have facts. We as Zimbabweans dismiss this report with the contempt it deserves. It is just a smokescreen to conceal the real source of our economic problems that have forced our brothers and sisters to seek greener pastures elsewhere.

In Zimbabwe we have offices of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

This body was established in 1951 and is the principal inter-governmental organization in the field of migration. Among other duties it is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

If the CIA report is accusing Zimbabwe of not doing enough, what has the IOM done about this issue?

The issue of refugees from East Africa, mostly from Somalia and Eritrea who pass through Zimbabwe’s borders on a daily basis on their way to South Africa has on several occasions been brought to the attention of IOM, but the organization has turned a blind eye on the problem. Rather, it has interested itself more on Zimbabweans seeking economic refuge in South Africa.

This has led some analysts to accuse IOM of furthering a political agenda rather than addressing the problem of refugees, most of whom come from East and Central Africa.

There are IOM offices in Harare and at Beitbridge port of entry/exit, but the office bearers are equally to blame.

The organization is supposed to carry out extensive training and capacity building programmes with government and other partners as part of comprehensive migration management framework, but are they doing that in Zimbabwe?

Refugees and trafficked persons are a distinct category of people on the move deserving special attention from IOM.