Human trafficking suspect nabbed in Zambezi

A Congolese national was arrested by police in the Zambezi Region on Sunday afternoon for allegedly attempting to smuggle two Tanzanian men out of Namibia.

Warrant Officer Kisco Sitali yesterday confirmed to Namibian Sun that they were investigating a case of human trafficking after a 32-year-old Congolese national was arrested on Sunday at the Kongolo checkpoint, about 110km from Katima Mulilo.

According to Sitali the victims are 24 and 32 years old.

Sitali said the suspect was a refugee from the Osire Refugee Camp. When the three arrived by bus at the checkpoint the police noticed that the suspect had a permit from the camp valid from 23 November to 23 December.

The man stated fishing as his reason for visiting Katima Mulilo, although the fishing season only opens in March.

As the police became more suspicious, they discovered that the two victims were together with the suspect on the bus.

When they questioned them the suspect claimed that all of them were from Osire Refugee Camp and that the other two men had lost their permits.

However, when the two victims were questioned it became apparent that they did not know where they were being taken. They explained that the suspect had smuggled them into Namibia from Zambia through the river, Sitali said.

According to him the victims were apparently destined for South Africa.

The suspect is to appear before the Katima Mulilo Magistrate's Court today.