Desperation for jobs abroad leaves 22 Batswana missing
Pini Bothoko | Monday August 10, 2026 06:00
The caution paints a worrying picture of how economic hardships are exposing vulnerable Batswana to human trafficking, labour exploitation and other forms of transnational organised crime, as many cling to the hope of securing better-paying jobs abroad. BPS spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Near Bagali, revealed the police have recorded a growing number of reports involving citizens who left Botswana after being promised lucrative employment opportunities overseas, only to disappear without a trace. He explained that families across the country have reported to various police stations after losing contacts with their children, siblings and other relatives for months after they travelled abroad.
'While these individuals travelled with the hope of improving their livelihoods and supporting their families, communication with some of them has since ceased, leaving relatives distressed and searching for answers,' Bagali said in a media statement. To date, he revealed, 22 Batswana have been reported missing after allegedly travelling overseas in pursuit of employment opportunities. The police managed to intercept eight other individuals before they reached their intended destinations, while two citizens were successfully rescued in a foreign country through the intervention of relevant authorities. The reported victims are aged between 19 and 48, demonstrating that the problem cuts across a wide section of Botswana's adult population rather than affecting only young job seekers. Bagali said the cases strongly suggest that many unsuspecting citizens are being targeted by fraudulent recruitment syndicates operating across borders. 'These reports raise serious concerns about fraudulent recruitment schemes that may expose job seekers to human trafficking, labour exploitation or other forms of transnational organised crime,' he added.
The police spokesperson warned that the actual scale of the problem could be far greater than current figures suggest, with law enforcement officials believing several cases may never have been reported. The development comes despite repeated awareness campaigns by the BPS warning citizens against accepting questionable job offers abroad. According to Bagali, criminal networks continue to exploit the country's high unemployment levels by advertising seemingly attractive jobs with promises of exceptionally high salaries, free accommodation and fully funded travel arrangements. 'Unfortunately, this desperation is increasingly being exploited by unscrupulous individuals and criminal networks who lure unsuspecting job seekers with promises of lucrative employment, only for them to find themselves in compromising and often dangerous situations,' he said. The police have urged prospective job seekers to thoroughly verify every overseas employment opportunities before making any commitments and ensure that recruitment agencies are legally registered and licensed.
He advised Batswana to consult the Ministry of International Relations before travelling abroad, and avoid paying recruitment fees to agencies whose credentials cannot be independently verified. Bagali further encouraged job seekers to carefully scrutinise employment contracts and seek professional legal or expert advice whenever necessary before signing any agreements. Police also cautioned the public to be suspicious of employment offers that promise unusually high salaries or fully sponsored travel and accommodation without proper documentation or verification.
To improve personal safety, Bagali urged travellers to always inform family members about their travel plans, maintain regular communication while abroad, and leave copies of their passports, employment contracts, flight itineraries and recruiter details with trusted relatives. 'If in doubt, cancel the trip, even if you are already en route, and seek assistance from airport officials,' he advised. Bagali assured the public that the BPS remains committed to investigating every reported case and continues to collaborate with local and international law enforcement agencies in efforts to locate the missing citizens and facilitate their safe return where possible.
The latest figures serve as a sobering reminder of the devastating human cost of unemployment. As economic pressures continue to mount, authorities fear more desperate Batswana could become easy targets for sophisticated international recruitment scams unless greater vigilance is exercised by both job seekers and their families.