Child trafficking and child smuggling in Zimbabwe: legislation and policy gaps

Abstract

Child trafficking and child smuggling are part of the crimes perpetrated against children. In most cases girls are the most affected as they are exploited for profit. This study examined the processes and policies around child trafficking in Zimbabwe. The study was conducted in Beitbridge and Plumtree border towns. Due to the evasive nature of the area under study, it adopted a qualitative approach. A sample of 22 participants were interviewed. Child smuggling was mainly reported as children were smuggled across the borders predominantly for the purposes of reunification with families among migrant families in working in South Africa. The children were smuggled through buses, taxis, trucks and some went through undesignated and illegal points. As children cross the borders with strangers they are at risk of being exploited and sexually abused. There is therefore need to set up a trans-frontier task force on trafficking between Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana. This may help to ascertain whether smuggling cases are not turning into trafficking and to investigate cases in destination cities.