One of the most complicated crimes the world over is the illegal trade of human beings which has become a lucrative business and occurs in all countries of the world. For this organised criminal activity, Zimbabwe is used as a country of origin (source), destination or transit. Human trafficking in Zimbabwe became more prevalent in 2014 and 2015 when a worrying number of women and also children were deceived having been promised labour in countries like Kuwait. The study was qualitative and data was collected using library analysis and unstructured interviews. The non-random sampling techniques of quota and snow balling were used. The study established that sexual exploitation and forced labour were the common forms of human trafficking that Zimbabweans were being exposed to in foreign countries like South Africa and Kuwait. In some cases, women could be trafficked to be “wives”, girls sold as child brides and generally children for use in ritual sacrifice. Poverty, high unemployment levels in the country, marriage breakdowns, family conflicts, drug abuse, gender inequality, bad living conditions, gender discrimination, harmful socio-cultural practices, social instability and lack of education and awareness were some of the major causes of human trafficking Corruption among immigration officials and law enforcement agentswere stifling efforts to nab traffickers, are many kinds of human trafficking. Furthermore, the government was not adequately supporting local non-governmental and humanitarian organisations including the United Nations organ, the UNDOC in making frantic efforts to combat human trafficking.
Coercion, crime, human exploitation, human trafficking, unemployment
