Chimwendo urges chiefs to help fight human trafficking

Minister of Homeland Security Richard Chimwendo Banda has appealed to chiefs in the country to help fight human trafficking.

He made the call on Monday in Salima when he opened a training workshop for chiefs and journalists on the fight against the malpractice.

Chimwendo Banda said human trafficking is modern slavery as victim’s rights are affected.

Said the minister: “People get coaxed as they are promised a lot of things. Because people are looking for greener pastures they fall into the trap of human trafficking.

“Instead of better life they are subjected to inhumane conditions. They are treated as goods and are sold to several buyers along the way.”

In his remarks, Ministry of Local Government director of chiefs Charles Makanga said chiefs being local leaders will help in fighting human trafficking.

He said chiefs are influential people and will help spread the message against human trafficking.

On his part, Senior Chief Kaomba of Kasungu said orientating chiefs on the Trafficking in Persons Act will help them have proper knowledge about human trafficking and be able to take part in the fight against it.

“After the training, chiefs will also engage their subjects on how to deal with the problem. I, therefore, call on other chiefs to avoid getting bribes from traffickers,” he said.

Cases of human trafficking have been on the rise and the number of victims has also been increasing. In 2020 authorities rescued 688 people compared to 147 that were rescued in 2019.