Six Botswana nationals have been arrested in the United Kingdom on suspicion of people smuggling, allegedly facilitating the illegal entry of more than 200 Batswana into the country.
Botswana’s Ministry of International Relations said on Thursday that the arrests, carried out on 3 June 3 in Cheltenham, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Bradford, targeted a suspected criminal network accused of fraudulent asylum applications and exploitation.
The lead suspect, a 37-year-old Botswana national, was detained in Cheltenham.
“The suspects are believed to have facilitated the illegal entry of over two hundred
Botswana nationals, and also led them into fraudulent lifestyles and exploitation,
including facilitating the submission of false asylum applications,” the ministry said in a statement.
Many of the victims were reportedly placed in care homes without proper training, raising concerns about exploitation and abuse.
Across Europe and Asia, Africans seeking better opportunities are often duped by traffickers who promise legitimate employment, only to trap them in exploitative conditions.
Victims frequently fall prey to debt bondage where they are forced to work unpaid to repay fabricated debts.
The ministry condemned the alleged crimes, urging Batswana to verify overseas job offers through official diplomatic channels.
The Botswana High Commission in London is working with UK authorities to monitor the case while the British High Commission in Botswana is assisting with follow-ups.
JN/APA