MAN HELD FOR TEENS TRAFFICKING, ANOTHER FLEES

SITEKI – In a suspected case of human trafficking, two girls from Malindza Refugee Reception Camp were reportedly found in a rented flat at KaMartin, near Lonhlupheko.

Lonhlupheko is in the Lubombo Region. A man has been arrested while his accomplice, a South African national, skipped the country when members of KaLanga community police descended to the house, after receiving a tip-off that there were suspicious men renting a house and had been seen with two young girls aged between 15 and 16 years. It was discovered that the two young girls were to be trafficked to South Africa.

Last Tuesday, the world commemorated World Day Against Human Trafficking and an organisation, Hope Alive 268, a non-profit organisation taking care of orphaned, vulnerable and abused children in Eswatini, organised a march around Siteki Town, to sensitise members of the public about human trafficking in communities across the country. Joining the march were people with disabilities, police, health officials and pupils from Lubombo Central High and Siteki Nazarene High School. It was further established that the South African national managed to outpace the members of the community police forum, while the liSwati man was identified and police officers arrested him.

Narrating the matter, Jabulani Sitsebe, who is a resident of Lonhlupheko, said during interrogation of the liSwati man, it was discovered that two other young girls were trafficked to South Africa. The young girls were taken to a safe house by the police and reunited with their relatives at the camp. Sitsebe shared that the community members became suspicious on the conduct of the two men, after it was established that one is a South African and the other a liSwati.

Tipped-off

The resident stated that the residents then tipped-off members of the community police about their suspicion. He said during interrogation, the liSwati man confided that he was working with the South African man, to traffic young girls to the neighbouring country, who were then sold to club owners to be sex workers. “They acted promptly but the South African national escaped, together with his accomplice. They were able to identify the liSwati who was confronted and the two young girls were taken by the police to a safe house, before being reunited with their relatives at the camp,” he said.

Sitsebe shared that the vigilance of the community played a vital role in confronting the two men after spotting the young girls in their rented flat. “We hope that community members will continue to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour by strange people. We are so shocked that human trafficking is now taking place in our communities, yet we heard about such cases being reported in urban areas and towns,” the resident said. Another Lonhlupheko community member, Zachariah Maziya, encouraged residents to report unbecoming behaviour of strangers. Maziya mentioned that it was fortunate that the girls were found before being trafficked to South Africa.

He said there was a need for government to intervene by hosting campaigns in communities to raise awareness on human trafficking. “It is unfortunate that two young girls found themselves being held hostage and almost trafficked to the neighbouring State. It is important that we report strange behaviours by community members to the police. EmaSwati need to be educated about human trafficking, so that the perpetrators can be arrested,” he said. Ministry of Home Affairs Communications Officer Mlandvo Dlamini, said the matter was being handled by the police, hence his office will not comment much about it. “We have the case of a young girl whom was kept at the centre by the police and another that has recently arrived at the camp,” he said.

Missing

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, said two young girls went missing, but only the one aged 15 was found with a 32-year-old man, while the other girl aged 16 years has not yet been found.
Meanwhile, Hope Alive 268 Director Linda Arroyo, said her organisation had been hosting campaigns in raising awareness against human trafficking in Eswatini. The director said more than 30 million of people were trafficked every year, globally.
She said emaSwati should stand up for their families and friends through reporting elements of human trafficking happening in their communities.
Arroyo stated that the nation should look for people who appeared to be troubled, agitated, anxious and fearful.
Moreover, she shared that children should avoid talking to strangers and being lured through freebies and promises of money and other materials things. She said traffickers often threatened to harm and kill the victims’ loved ones if they did not comply.

 

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