Govt committed to combating human trafficking

GOVERNMENT is committed to fighting trafficking in persons and will continue to set up national response strategies to end the heinous crime, a senior Government official has said.

Officially opening a workshop on Trafficking in Persons in Harare on Monday, secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Mr Melusi Matshiya said Government had come up with a national response strategy.

“I wish to reaffirm the Government’s commitment in the fight against trafficking in persons as we continue to step up the national response strategy to this heinous crime.

“The workshop endeavours to demonstrate a firm commitment to combating human trafficking in Zimbabwe, which continues to be a top priority of the Government,” he said.

Mr Matshiya said Government is validating an amendment Bill for trafficking in persons legislation which will culminate into the Trafficking in Persons Act.

He said there were other efforts by the State such as the creation of the Anti-Trafficking Inter-Ministerial Committee which takes active effort against combating trafficking in and out of Zimbabwe.

He said women and children were the main targets of traffickers across the world.

“Children are subjected to forced labour in the agricultural and mining sectors and are forced to carry out illegal activities, including drug smuggling while women are for sex trade,” he said.