Rudolf Gaiseb
The Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) is investigating an alleged trafficking of 24 Namibians in Myanmar and Thailand in Asia.
The government has so far facilitated the return of four Namibians, who are expected to arrive back in Namibia in “due time”.
While investigations are ongoing to verify whether these individuals are victims of trafficking in persons or other criminal circumstances, the government is prioritising humanitarian aid and repatriation regardless of the “final legal classification of their cases”, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Efforts to assist the remaining individuals continue with the utmost urgency,” the statement reads.
Initial reports that emanated prior to the statement were a social media post by Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda, who on Monday wrote that six Namibian youth were taken “from our country and trafficked to Asia, to Myanmar.”
Amupanda said the six are now being held by the army of Myanmar at Shwe Kokko Park, near the Thailand border, “a notorious place and hub for organised crime.”
The BBC, in a recent report, describes this place as “the home to a lucrative yet deadly nexus of fraud, money laundering and human trafficking.”
Amupanda said his investigative unit, Eagle 25, managed to get to them, and all six are alive.
According to Amupanda, the six include 22-year-old Tequisha Candice Samuels from Swakopmund, 24-year-old Helena Ndamononghenda Nghifikwa from Windhoek, 26-year-old David Simataa Kamwi from Katima Mulilo, 29-year-old Julia Ndevasheka Shityeni from Epalala, 31-year-old Immanuel Haufiku from Ohakadu and 34-year-old Ananias Shaanika from Windhoek.
It is still not clear whether these names coincide with the names of the 24 nationals the ministry has identified, as the ministry is not at “liberty to disclose the individuals’ names.”
Last year, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) successfully facilitated the return of seven Namibian nationals who were stranded in Myanmar, the ministry reported.
However, the ministry’s view is clear that the Namibian nationals “are entangled in fraudulent activities and exploitative networks operating within Myanmar and Thailand.” It is also clear that various stakeholders, including Interpol, are actively engaged in investigating known trafficking in person syndicates, “efforts crucial in dismantling networks that exploit vulnerable populations and perpetuate human rights violations.” Namibian Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi told the media on Monday that the police are aware and are working in collaboration with the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, and “GRN efforts are indeed ongoing.”
“This effort involves a high-level collaboration with the IOM and relevant regional authorities to facilitate the safe return of our citizens,” it further states.
After the ministry’s statement, official opposition party Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Rodney Cloete questioned why it took public pressure to force the ministry to be transparent and why no warning was issued when the first victims were rescued last year.
“There was no targeted advisory about Southeast Asian scam compounds, no clear instruction telling young Namibians how to verify suspicious job offers,” he wrote. This legal vacuum, he said, leaves Namibians vulnerable to predatory recruitment networks operating across Southern Africa.
“Not MIRT. An international organisation, IOM, is doing the heavy operational lifting, while MIRT emphasises ‘high-level collaboration’ and coordination through the High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,” he added.
MIRT, however, maintained that through collaboration with law enforcement agencies and other organisations, Interpol aims to enhance the effectiveness of its operations against trafficking, ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice and that victims receive the necessary support and protection.
It further acknowledged the distress and anxiety faced by the families affected and reassured them that every available diplomatic and humanitarian avenue is being pursued. Additionally, to prevent further citizens from falling prey to these schemes, the ministry advised the public to exercise extreme caution regarding overseas offers.
“All international opportunities should be strictly verified through the Ministry of International Relations and Trade or Namibia’s missions abroad before any travel is undertaken,” the ministry said.
