Harare- The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has warned that traffickers are increasingly using technology and deceptive online scams to trap victims, as the country joined the global community in commemorating the World Day against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July.

In a statement marking the annual observance under the theme “Trapped behind the scam,” the Commission highlighted the growing use of deception and misuse of technology to facilitate human trafficking, with victims often lured through fake job advertisements on the internet and social media platforms, informal recruitment agents and cross-border criminal networks.

“The theme ‘Trapped behind the scam’ is both timely and relevant, as trafficking in persons continues to evolve through the misuse of technology and deceptive promises of employment, education, migration opportunities and improved livelihoods,” the ZHRC said.

Victims, the Commission stated, are usually deceived only to be subjected to forced labour, sexual exploitation, forced criminality, domestic servitude or other forms of modern-day slavery.

The ZHRC noted that trafficking in persons constitutes a grave violation of human rights and human dignity, contravening several provisions of Zimbabwe’s Constitution including the right to human dignity, personal security, freedom from torture or cruel treatment, and freedom from slavery, servitude and forced labour.

Recent Arrests and Prosecutions

The warning comes amid a spate of human trafficking arrests across the country. In July 2026, Oscar Sifelani Mtshiya (48) of Hwange appeared before Harare Magistrate Jessie Kufa facing five counts of trafficking in persons after allegedly recruiting five Zimbabweans to fight as mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine war under the guise of offering lucrative firefighting jobs.

One of the victims reportedly died in the war zone. Mtshiya allegedly worked with four Russian-based accomplices who remain at large.

In June 2026, four men, Obert Hlavati, Tonderai Maphosa, Tanaka Malcolm Gwarada and Edson Dudzayi Nyamudeza appeared before the same court on human trafficking charges linked to the Russia recruitment network.

A 20 year old woman, Sofia Leonova, was also remanded in custody in May 2026 for allegedly recruiting Zimbabweans for fake truck driving jobs in Russia.

In February 2026, Christina Mafudza (32) appeared in court accused of harbouring four Zambian female nationals whom she exploited for prostitution under the pretext of a massage parlour in Harare’s Eastlea suburb.

In September 2025, Pelagia Zindiye (30) was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Mutare Regional Court for trafficking a 14 year old girl whom she sold to a truck driver for US$40 for sexual services. The truck driver, Steward Gororo, remains on the run.

A Gokwe woman, Pauline Maganga (23), was also jailed for 10 years in 2024 for selling her baby two days after giving birth. In another case, more than 40 Zimbabweans were left stranded in Sierra Leone after falling victim to a trafficking syndicate that lured them with promises of lucrative jobs.

Zimbabwe Remains on US Watch List

According to the US Department of State’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, Zimbabwe did not demonstrate sufficient progress in combating trafficking, resulting in the country remaining on the Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year.

The report noted that internal trafficking remains widespread, particularly in sex work and forced labour, including cattle herding, domestic service and mining.

Child labour is prevalent in agriculture, forestry, fishing and artisanal mining, with unaccompanied children especially vulnerable.

Traffickers force women and girls from rural areas into domestic servitude in urban centres and exploit children in forced begging and mining operations.

Economic hardship and certain traditional practices, such as trading daughters for food, money, or reconciliation ceremonies (ngozi), increase the risk of trafficking.

Traffickers also target Zimbabweans abroad, luring them with false promises of employment or scholarships, particularly in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, China and the Middle East, before forcing them into labour, domestic servitude or sex work.

Data from cases that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) assisted over the last decade show that nearly 80% of international human trafficking journeys cross through official border control points, including airports.

Zimbabwe also serves as a transit country for migrants from Somalia, Ethiopia, Malawi and Zambia en route to South Africa.

According to the UN, at least 27 million people worldwide are currently victims of human trafficking.

Commission Calls for Vigilance

While acknowledging Zimbabwe’s efforts to combat trafficking — including ratification of the UN Protocol on Trafficking in Persons, enactment of the Trafficking in Persons Act [Chapter 9:25], and establishment of anti-trafficking coordination structures — the Commission called for strengthened implementation and adequate resourcing.

“Attention must be given to women, children, young people, persons with disabilities, migrants, job seekers, domestic workers and economically vulnerable communities,” the ZHRC said.

The Commission urged members of the public to remain vigilant against offers that appear too good to be true, especially those involving employment, travel, scholarships or migration opportunities.

Citizens were encouraged to verify recruitment agents, avoid surrendering personal documents to strangers, report suspicious activities to police, and seek assistance where trafficking or exploitation is suspected.

“As Zimbabwe commemorates this important day, the ZHRC reaffirms its commitment to promoting human rights awareness, receiving and handling complaints, monitoring human rights compliance and working with relevant stakeholders to prevent trafficking in persons and protect victims and survivors,” the statement read.

“No person should be trapped behind a scam, exploited for profit or denied their dignity, freedom and security,” the Commission concluded.