More Basotho now aware of human trafficking

MOSA MAOENG

MASERU – Six out of 10 Basotho (60 percent) believe they are aware of the problem of human trafficking, while 39 percent say they have not heard about it, this according to a recent Afrobarometer survey. This stark division in awareness highlights a significant challenge in combating this global menace within Lesotho.

In the run-up to World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, an Afrobarometer analysis published this week, revealed that awareness is particularly high among frequent news consumers, urban residents, and the most educated citizens.

Conversely, rural residents and those with less education are less likely to know about human trafficking, underscoring the need for targeted educational initiatives.

Among those who are aware of the issue, many believe that the responsibility to combat human trafficking rests primarily with security agencies. However, a considerable number also recognises the role of ordinary citizens in this fight.

Lerato Nkhete, Executive Director of the Migrant Workers Association of Lesotho (MWA-Ls), spoke with Public Eye this week about their efforts to raise awareness on trafficking in persons (TIP).

“Our biggest job is to ensure we raise awareness on TIP through community gatherings and sessions with local authorities such as chiefs and councillors. We also go to schools to educate learners on how to avoid becoming victims of trafficking,” Nkhete said.

The MWA-Ls also leverage social media, local radio stations, and national television to spread their message. A harrowing personal account from Matla Mphole (not his real name) sheds light on the deceptive tactics traffickers use.

In 2021, Mphole was offered a chance to pursue a soccer career in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, (UAE) by a well-known Nigerian friend. Trusting this friend, who was married to a Mosotho woman, Mphole saw this as a golden opportunity and left his job in Lesotho to follow his dream.

Upon arriving in Dubai, he discovered he was not there to play soccer but to launder money by opening multiple bank accounts under different identities.

Mphole managed to return home and reported the incident to the police, leading to the arrest and conviction of his Nigerian friend. His story serves as a stark warning: “Human trafficking is real. Traffickers often exploit a person’s interests to trap them. Youth should be cautious and not fall for seemingly golden opportunities,” he advises, noting his luck in returning home safely, a fortune not shared by many others.

The U.S. State Department’s Lesotho Report 2023 on Trafficking in Persons notes significant efforts by the Lesotho Government to combat traffickers. These efforts include luring Basotho, particularly women and children, to urban areas or abroad with false promises of jobs and education.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Migration in Lesotho Country Profile 2023 highlights the work of the Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU) within the Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS).

In 2016, the CGPU identified 18 potential trafficking victims, referring six to NGOs for counselling and assistance. In 2017, nine potential victims were identified, with one receiving NGO support.

In 2020, South African law enforcement identified nine Basotho victims in Welkom, South Africa, while an NGO reported three additional victims. Despite these identifications, the Lesotho Government has been criticised for not providing assistance to the victims.

However, the National Anti-trafficking in Persons Strategic Framework and Action Plan of Lesotho, developed in 2011 and reviewed periodically, outlines a strategic approach to combat trafficking.

The framework emphasises raising awareness, educating vulnerable populations, addressing root causes, and providing comprehensive support services for victims, including shelter, counselling, health care, and legal assistance.

Moreover, the framework aims to enhance collaboration among government agencies, civil society organisations, and international partners to ensure effective victim identification, referral, and assistance.

As Lesotho continues to grapple with the scourge of human trafficking, the combined efforts of the government, NGOs, and the public are crucial. Raising awareness, providing support for victims, and strengthening preventive measures will be key to making significant strides in the fight against trafficking.