Zimbawe Airport Sees an Increase in Human Trafficking

Human trafficking cases at Zimbabwe’s main airport are increasing due to allegations that a network of security agents and influential politicians are facilitating illegal entry into the country for foreign nationals bound for South Africa.

The Director-General of the Immigration Department, Respect Gono, stated that Zimbabwe lacks a system to monitor crimes like human trafficking, making it an attractive target for traffickers. This statement was in response to inquiries from the media regarding reports of security personnel at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport who expressed concern about immigration violations being ignored by organizations like the Central Intelligence Organisation.

A Military Intelligence Department (MID) agent stationed at the airport was recently arrested for allegedly colluding with immigration officers to allow four Indian nationals to enter the country illegally. The security officials stated that this was just the tip of the iceberg, as the current MID team had replaced another one that was removed from the airport for suspected involvement with human trafficking.

The majority of trafficking victims are from Pakistan and Ethiopia, with most heading to South Africa in search of better opportunities. However, due to strict measures in South Africa, many Ethiopians prefer to enter via Zimbabwe. Gono stated that the department does not have a comprehensive system in place to track these activities.