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The Department of Immigration has partnered with Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people to combat human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.
A delegation of Immigration Officers in Eastern Province conducted a Counter-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Sensitisation meeting for traditional leaders in Paramount Chief Mpezeni’s Chiefdom at His Royal Highness’ Ependukeni Palace, in Chipata District.
The delegation was led by the Deputy Regional Immigration Officer, Lloyd Mudenda on January 29, 2023.
This is according to Namati Nshinka, Department of Immigration Public relations officer in a statement issued on Friday in Lusaka.
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Nshinka explained that the purpose of the meeting was to sensitise the traditional leaders on the dangers of human trafficking and smuggling in persons and the role of citizens.
This, he said, was particularly on border communities in curbing human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.
“It was hoped that once sensitised, the traditional leaders would in turn share the information with their subjects,” Nshinka said.
He stated that in attendance were His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Mpezeni, six Senior Indunas and 105 headmen and women.
During the meeting, he said, His Royal Highness emphasised the need for traditional leaders to remain vigilant and report all suspicious activities related to human trafficking and smuggling of migrants to the Department in their localities.
Nshinka said Chief Mpezeni urged the traditional leaders at all levels to share the information provided by the Officers with their subjects.
“The Headmen and Headwomen, through a representative encouraged the Department to continue sensitising and supporting traditional leaders in the Province as they pledged their full support in fighting human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.
“The Department wishes to commend His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Mpezeni for being proactive in engaging the Department to sensitize his subjects on human trafficking and smuggling of migrants which has become a National problem, especially in the Eastern and Northern parts of the country,” he said.
Nshinka said the presence of Chief Mpezeni at the meeting confirmed his commitment as a traditional leader working alongside the Department of Immigration and other Government Agencies that were part and parcel of the solution to this scourge.
“We also wish to encourage other traditional Leaders across the country to come on board and help in the fight against human trafficking and smuggling of migrants. The Department stands ready to sensitise all chiefdoms,” he said.
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