Zorena Jantze
THE Namibian Police (NamPol) in a sting operation yesterday, 1 September 2022, rescued a total of 57 people originating from various countries at the Port of Walvis Bay in a suspected human trafficking incident.
The workers were allegedly kept hidden aboard the MV Shang Fu vessel and Nata 2 vessel owned by Nata Fishing Enterprises. It is alleged that the vessels are owned by Chinese nationals.
Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the national spokesperson of NamPol, confirmed the incident to the Informanté and stated that the matter was detected on 22 June 2022 around 09:00, when Namibian Fisheries Observers, with the support from NamPol officers while on patrol in the Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) in Namibian sea water.
She noted that since the discovery of the vessel in June this year, NamPol conducted a four-month long investigation from June to September before rescuing the human trafficking victims this week.
“A preliminary investigation was launched since and so far revealed that there were 60 crew members, 30 in each vessel. A total of 35 Philippines, two Taiwanese nationals, two Chinese nationals, three Indonesians, two Vietnamese, four Mozambican nationals and eight Namibians were found with valid documents and four Angolans, of which three were having passports,” Commissioner Shikwambi reported.
She added that further preliminary investigations indicate that some crew members were on the vessel since 2018.
“The assessment on the victims were done by social workers and that is still ongoing. An inspection was also done by the Labour Ministry officials as well and it was detected that these people were maltreated, working long hours without rest (four hours rest only), they were even forced to work while they were sick.
No medical officers were on board of both the vessels and the workers did not have sufficient blankets. They were all found to be in the employment without work permits or visas,” Commissioner Shikwambi said.
Due to the above, an investigation is underway for the suspected victims of Trafficking in Persons on board MV Shang Fu vessel and Nata 2 vessel owned by Nata Fishing Enterprises.
Commissioner Shikwambi stated that the company is suspected to have contravened the Marine Resources act, Combating in Trafficking in Persons Act, Contravening of Labour Act, Contravening of Immigration Control Act, and may also be charged with possible Fraud under common law.
Of the 60 crew members found aboard the two vessels, 48 workers, including nine seniors (Captains, Mate, Chief mate, Chief engineers and 2nd Engineer) are suspected victims of Trafficking in Persons.
They were so far rescued from the two vessels yesterday on 1 September 2022 and are safely kept at a safe shelter. The two vessels will be impounded as instruments of crime.
HUMAN TRAFFIKING: File photo for illustrative purposes only.
