With unemployment soaring and economic hardships gripping the livelihoods of Batswana, forcing them to look for green pastures abroad, 22 Batswana have so far been reported missing.
Fortunately, eight Batswana were intercepted before reaching their final destinations and two others rescued from foreign countries, after the government engaged relevant authorities. This is according to a Botswana Police Service (BPS) press release issued on Wednesday, indicating that these locals went missing allegedly while travelling abroad for employment opportunities. However, figures of missing people are suspected to be higher.
Botswana Police Service Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Near Bagali said, “we are deeply concerned at the increasing number of Batswana reported missing after allegedly travelling abroad for employment opportunities. Reports received by the police indicate that several individuals left Botswana after being promised lucrative jobs overseas.”
Bagali said from across Botswana, relatives of the missing persons have made reports to the police, that they have not heard from their children, siblings and relatives for several months. “Repeated attempts to contact them through telephone calls, social media and other communication platforms have been unsuccessful.”
All the 22 people were reported missing after travelling to the diaspora in search of employment opportunities. The reported cases involve persons between the ages of 19 and 48 years. This underscores that this growing concern affects a broad cross section of the adult population, highlighting the increasing vulnerability of job seekers to fraudulent overseas recruitment schemes.
The police are concerned that these shady recruitment schemes are exposing Batswana job seekers to human trafficking, labour exploitation and other forms of transnational organised crime. Apart from these reported cases, BPS believe there are more cases which have not been reported.
“Despite continuous public awareness campaigns, some Batswana continue to travel abroad in pursuit of employment opportunities under uncertain and unverified circumstances. This desperation is increasingly being exploited by unscrupulous individuals and criminal networks”, continued Assistant Commissioner Bagali.
BPS has since surged job seekers of prospects abroad to be vigilant and verify if recruitment agencies are registered, licenced and seek guidance from the Ministry of International affairs before travelling abroad. They have further been advised to avoid making payments to recruiters and agencies which have not been verified, be cautious of offers promising unusually high salaries or fully funded travel and accommodation.
“If suspicious, cancel travel plans even when already enroute and seek help from airport officials,” police pleaded.
