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.
