Exit points along SD border will be closed
LOMAHASHA - Exit points along the country’s boundary which are mostly used by residents will have to be closed because they perpetuate human trafficking.
This is according to Makhosi Simelane, who was representing the Chief Immigration Officer.
As means of reducing human trafficking, World Vision has embarked on a campaign to educate people staying next to border gates about human trafficking.
The campaign is called Kuvikela Global In Persons Project (GTIP).
The campaign is a two-year initiative aimed at enhancing ongoing efforts by government to combat human trafficking.
On Monday, World Vision in partnership with government and other non-governmental organisa-tions (NGOs) educated Lomahasha residents on human trafficking.
The event was held at Lomahasha inkhundla and was attended by more than 50 residents.
Simelane said the exit points which are popularly known as ticanco, were useful to residents staying next to the boundary, but had now been exploited by syndicates of human trafficking.
He said it was important as a country to see if the exit points were still serving the reasons they were created for in the first place.
"First of all, I want to state clearly that exit points are not legal. They might be useful to people who stay next to the boundary, but they are now being used to perpetuate human trafficking," he said, provoking some murmuring from some residents.
Simelane explained the reason why the Immigration department is involved in human trafficking issues, saying they are responsible for the entry and exit of people at the border gates.
He also outlined the importance of registering for birth certificates and identity cards (IDs), saying this helps to identify the nationality of people who have been trafficked to other countries.
help to identify the nationality of people who have been trafficked to other countries.
Bid to ensure human life to its fullest
LOMAHASHA - National Director of World Vision, Solomon Tesfamariam said human trafficking is at the heart of the organisation’s mandate which was to ensure life to its fullest for all humans.
He said while implementing developmental projects around the country, World Vision realised that human trafficking was a concern in the com-munities in which they work hence the initiation of such a programme. "As World Vision we remain committed towards playing our role in protecting children and speaking for the poor," he said.
Tesfamariam commended govern-ment for initiating projects and campaigns to combat human traffi-cking. "None of the initiatives we have implemented would have been possible without support and partnership from government, in particular the Prime Minister’s office.
"We congratulate government for enacting legislation on human trafficking as it provides a comprehensive road map on how human trafficking will be addressed in Swaziland," he said
Tesfamariam said the campaign had also been held in Maseyisini, Matsanjeni, Mhlosheni, Ngudzeni, Siteki, Mpolonjeni and Gege.
Lomahasha Member of Parlia-ment Meninjeni Mahlalela thanked World Vision for educating the people of his constituency about human trafficking.
He said as people who live next to the border, it was important that they be enlightened about this scourage. The event was spiced by a superb performance from Siphila Nje Drama Society, which presented a play about human trafficking.
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