The Namibian Government through the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has rescued 21 Namibian women who were victims of suspected human trafficking from Muscat, Oman.

In March 2022, the government was made aware of suspected trafficking in persons from Namibia to Oman and the Middle East since February 2022. Thirty-one women were recruited as domestic workers in Oman, allegedly in pursuit of greener pastures.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on Wednesday, said the 21 victims returned to Namibia on 30 June 2022 through interventions by the ministry and Interpol in Oman.

She indicated that the cost of reparation back to Namibia was carried by the victims’ families, noting that a criminal case was registered which relates to the contravention of Section 3 of the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, Act 1 of 2018.

“The case is still under investigation and when the time is opportune, and if evidence dictates, an arrest will be affected. This is an important case and the police and other stakeholders are carefully gathering and considering the evidence before the matter is placed on the court roll,” she noted.

Nandi-Ndaitwah indicated that the remaining 10 victims have indicated that they wish to return to Namibia as soon as possible. Their return is however dependent on family members securing the required funds to assist them, with travel expenses as well as the cancellation of the debt bondage fee linked to their visas and other expenses.

She further indicated that the government has made arrangements for victims to be received by the Namibian Police Force and will be referred to social workers at the Ministry of Health and Social Services for psycho-social support and trauma counselling before their statements are obtained by the police.

“I wish to appeal to the Namibian public to remain vigilant in cases of this nature, as trafficking in persons are on the increase not only in Namibia, but worldwide. Economic migrants should be aware that the grass is not always greener on the other side, as the entire world is in an economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other global disasters,” she warned.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency