Zimbabwe partners IOM to rescue stranded citizens in Sierra Leone

The Government of Zimbabwe has enlisted the help of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to repatriate more than 20 Zimbabweans believed to be stranded in Sierra Leone, victims of a human trafficking syndicate that lured them with false promises of lucrative job opportunities.

This development comes as the Government intensifies its efforts to regulate recruitment agencies and raise public awareness about the dangers of human trafficking. The victims were deceived by a trafficking ring involving both a foreign entity and a local company.

Two survivors of the trafficking syndicate returned to Zimbabwe last week and were placed in protective custody by Government officials. During their debriefing, they revealed that several other victims remained trapped in Sierra Leone.

Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare Minister July Moyo confirmed the situation in his weekly column in The Sunday Mail on Sunday. He said the Government was now working with the IOM to facilitate the repatriation of the victims.

"Right now, we have a situation in Sierra Leone, where our people were recruited there and they are being abused," Minister Moyo said.

"While some have returned home, we still have others who are still out there. We also had a similar case in Kuwait, and we are working with the IOM to repatriate our citizens."

Minister Moyo also revealed that Zimbabwe was preparing to sign an agreement with Middle Eastern countries to combat human trafficking.

"Countries like Ethiopia and Kenya now have agreements with Middle Eastern countries to deal with these cases, and we are looking at those agreements to see whether we can extend them to Southern Africa and to Zimbabwe in particular," Moyo said.

While migration can offer economic opportunities, the Minister highlighted that it also presents significant risks related to human trafficking, especially when individuals seek employment abroad outside of formal migration channels.

In response to these challenges, the Zimbabwean Government has prioritized educating citizens on the dangers of irregular migration. Minister Moyo assured the public that measures were being implemented to curb human trafficking, including the regulation of recruitment agencies and raising awareness to prevent exploitation.

"Efforts are underway to regulate recruitment agencies and raise public awareness to prevent exploitation," Minister Moyo added.

"Collaborations with international organisations like the IOM have facilitated the repatriation of trafficking victims and enhanced measures to combat such incidents."

In addition to the two survivors who met with Government officials, seven more Zimbabweans were reported to have returned home last month. It is believed that up to 40 people may have fallen victim to the human trafficking syndicate in Sierra Leone. The Government continues to work closely with international partners to address and prevent such incidents, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad.