A four-day capacity-building training on Human Trafficking and the Smuggling of Migrants was held from 24th to 27th September 2024 in Sesheke District. The workshop brought together a vibrant team of frontline officers from the Zambia Police Service, Drug Enforcement Commission, Department of Immigration, Social Welfare, Zambia Correctional Service and other key ministries. Their shared mission was simple but powerful: to better protect vulnerable people and strengthen Sesheke’s response to trafficking.
The training focused on giving officers the practical knowledge and confidence they need to recognize trafficking situations and respond more effectively. With Sesheke’s busy border and constant movement of people, the sessions created an important space for officers to reflect on the realities they face every day, exchange experiences and learn from one another.
Over the course of the workshop, participants explored how to identify victims more effectively and practiced the PEACE interviewing model—an approach that helps officers engage with victims in a respectful, calm and trauma-sensitive way. They also discussed how stronger collaboration among different agencies can make a big difference when responding to trafficking cases.
By the end of the training, participants left feeling more prepared and energized, equipped with practical skills for victim identification, investigations, case handling and teamwork across government agencies. The workshop was a reminder that while trafficking is a complex challenge, empowered officers and strong collaboration can help turn the tide in Sesheke and beyond.
