Human traffickers target Kariba route

Speaking at a United Nations media briefing in Harare, IOM Zimbabwe Chief of Mission Diana Cartier cautioned that the limited coast guard presence has transformed the body of water into an appealing alternative to heavily monitored land borders across Southern Africa.

“We know the route is there. We know it’s an easy and accessible route due to the lack of coast guards along Lake Kariba,” Cartier said, adding that organized criminal networks operating in the region are using increasingly sophisticated technology and tactics to evade detection.

The UN migration agency is currently coordinating with Zimbabwean authorities to assess reported crossings and deploy countermeasures before the waterway becomes an entrenched smuggling corridor.

Beyond maritime border security, Cartier emphasized the need for tighter regional cooperation to manage Southern Africa’s porous borders and called for a structured approach to migrant reintegration. She urged authorities to align returning citizens with local labour demands rather than automatically sending them back to their home communities without economic support.

Cartier also cautioned against media coverage that vilifies returning migrants, urging news organizations to counter narratives that unfairly link returnees to crime, disease and social instability.