US retains Zimbabwe on human trafficking hotspot list

The United States has retained Zimbabwe on its list of countries failing to meet minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, citing large-scale exploitation of girls for sexual purposes. According to the US Department of State's 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, Zimbabwe did not demonstrate sufficient progress in combating trafficking compared to the previous reporting period, resulting in the country remaining on the Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described human trafficking as a "horrific and devastating crime" that benefits transnational criminal networks and undermines lawful societies. He emphasized that the Trafficking in Persons Report serves to push governments to take serious action against forced labour and sex trafficking, with consequences for those that fail to act.

The report acknowledged some efforts by the Zimbabwean government, including identifying more victims, investigating officials allegedly complicit in trafficking crimes, and signing a memorandum of understanding with an NGO to provide anti-trafficking training. However, it criticised the government for not amending its anti-trafficking law to criminalise all forms of trafficking, reducing funding for anti-trafficking initiatives, closing a shelter, and disbanding six provincial task forces responsible for investigating trafficking and coordinating victim services.

According to the report, human traffickers exploit both domestic and foreign victims. Internal trafficking remains widespread, particularly in sex work and forced labour, including cattle herding, domestic service, and mining. Child labour is prevalent in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and artisanal mining, with unaccompanied children especially vulnerable. The report highlighted that traffickers force women and girls from rural areas into domestic servitude in urban centres and exploit children in forced begging and mining operations.

Economic hardship and certain traditional practices, such as trading daughters for food, money, or reconciliation ceremonies (ngozi), increase the risk of trafficking. Traffickers also target Zimbabweans abroad, luring them with false promises of employment or scholarships, particularly in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, China, and the Middle East, before forcing them into labour, domestic servitude, or sex work. Zimbabwe also serves as a transit country for migrants from Somalia, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Zambia en route to South Africa, while being a destination for forced labour and sex trafficking from Mozambican and Malawian children.

The report also highlighted exploitative practices by foreign entities, including Chinese and Russian companies, and pointed to North Koreans and Cuban medical professionals working under conditions indicative of forced labour.

The US called on Zimbabwe to amend its anti-trafficking law, increase funding and training for law enforcement, strengthen victim protection services, investigate and prosecute traffickers-including complicit officials-regulate labour recruitment, and implement a victim-centred approach to trafficking investigations and prosecutions. Collecting data on trafficking trends and collaborating with foreign governments were also recommended to improve Zimbabwe's response to the scourge.