SESHEKE TRAINING

Sesheke, as a town that borders Zambia and Namibia, is vulnerable to human trafficking. The local people are often trafficked into Namibia where they are exploited in domestic servitude as cattle herders. They are forced to work for small amounts of money which are not paid to them monthly, but promised to be paid at the end of the work to be accomplished. When they make claims over their money, they are threatened with being reported to the Authorities which leaves them helpless in fear of being imprisoned.

It was therefore necessary to train both Community Animators and Law Enforcers in this area so that they are able to respond appropriately to the issue of human trafficking. TAKUZA conducted the training from 23rd to 24th September in which 24 Community Animators including Traditional leaders and 18 Law Enforcement Officers from Immigration and the Zambia Police Service participated. The workshop was seen as an eye opener and timely as what was discussed was what participants were seeing happening in Sesheke and Katimamulilo on a daily basis. The border was highlighted as being too porous to monitor movements that make people vulnerable to human trafficking.