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Lusaka — Immigration officers in Zambia have reportedly rescued four Malawian girls believed to have been trafficked into that country.

According to Malawi24, the girls, who were picked up at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, were believed to have been set to travel abroad when operatives made contact with them.

Mchinji border spokesperson Andida Mando said that a suspected abductor supplied operatives with contradictory statements during his interrogation.

While claiming that the girls had been brought into the country to attend a funeral, the alleged abductor later changed his story, instead stating that he was performing as an agent who was helping the girls obtain jobs in Kuwait.

The girls had since been sent back to Malawi, while the suspect was set to be handed over to Malawian authorities for further questioning.

According to the US Department of State, Zambia functioned as a source, transit and destination country for those subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking, with Zambia being unable to report the number of victims identified and assisted.

Despite being criticised for a lack of reform regarding human trafficking, the government of Zambia claimed it remaind committed to rooting out trafficking through Anti-Human Trafficking Act No. 11 of 2018, Daily Mail reports.

Under the Act, provision was made for the prohibition, prevention and prosecution of human trafficking, while establishing centres for the rehabilitation for victims. — AFP