Africa-Press – Lesotho. THE government says it has rescued 31 Basotho who had fallen into the hands of human traffickers, a significant development for a country desperate to boost its global rankings in combating human trafficking.
Due to its proximity to continental economic giant, South Africa, coupled with desperation of its citizens to seek better fortunes abroad amid economic problems, Lesotho has for years been in the throes of human trafficking.
But the country seems to be making steady progress, even though much still has to be dome to eradicate the practice which has seen many Basotho being trafficked for sex in the neighbouring country. Minister of Home Affairs Motlalentoa Letsosa appeared on television this week announcing the rescue of the 31 Basotho.
He said as a sign that the country is moving in the right direction, Lesotho has moved from Tier 3 to Tier 2 in global human trafficking rankings, according to the United States’ Department of State.
When it was a Tier 3 country, Lesotho’s government was considered as one of those that “do not fully comply with the minimum standards”. Now placed in Tier 2, Lesotho’s government is considered as “making significant efforts” to comply with global standards.
Letsosa said Lesotho has achieved the latest rescue, as well as the progress in its ranking, thanks to the diligent work of civil servants at the border gate.
He said the public servants are able to identify people who are being trafficked through signs that such people exhibit. These include unusual movements and signs that they are being threatened.
Letsosa said the government has realised that there are some pimps in Lesotho who dupe Basotho girls into crossing into South Africa for sexual exploitation.
“They give these girls a small amount of money,” he said, adding that this is now a growing business.
Letsosa said Parliament also reinforced the anti-trafficking in-person law that is under the Home Affairs Ministry. This amendment, he said, gave magistrates powers to deal with trafficking cases.
It also allows the magistrates courts to hear such cases since Lesotho only has one High Court, he said. This law provides for a mandatory custodial sentence for those convicted of human trafficking.
Letsosa said although public servants are contributing to the fight, the government still needed to weed out some rogue ones who are helping facilitate the trade. Police investigations into such characters are already underway, the minister said.
To eradicate human trafficking, the government has formed an inter-agency taskforce that brings together the police, the intelligence and non-governmental organizations. Letsosa said that, the United States, a major partner, is supportive of the Home Affairs efforts.
Lesotho is one of several African countries that are part of the US Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) that seeks to give local businesses greater access to US markets. That relationship is safe as the country makes strides in combating human trafficking, said Letsosa.
Meanwhile, the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tumelo Raboletsi, said the Americans urged Basotho officials to maintain the vigilance and tighten investigations to ensure rogue public servants are chucked out.
Raboletsi said the Americans also told Lesotho to work with non-governmental organisations to combat the scourge of human trafficking. He also rubbished claims that Mathibeli Mokhothu was involved in the trafficking as there is no case against him at the courts.
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