Poverty has been singled out as a main contributing factor to human trafficking.

This was mentioned during the commemoration of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons at Kaenda in the Zambezi Region. 

Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the Village Development Committee, Retief Liswaniso, emphasised the importance of addressing the root cause of trafficking in persons.

"Among the things that promote this trafficking in persons among our children and women is poverty. I wish the Honourable Governor was here with us, but the councillor representing her is here to deliver this message to her. Our government needs to look at our people's living conditions because if we don't, we will not find solutions."

In a speech read on her behalf, Zambezi Governor Dorothy Kabula made reference to the police report which indicated ten cases of trafficking in persons from June 2024 to June 2025.

"Similarly and gladly, it is reported that four victims of trafficking were repatriated from Namibia to their respective countries, two to Angola, one to Botswana and one to Zambia. The numbers might be significant, but behind each one of those numbers are human beings with names, with families and dreams, just like you and me."

She further called on a collective response that is victim-centred and rooted in justice and compassion. 

Love Justice, an organisation dedicated to combating human trafficking, has urged the implementation of community outreach programmes.

"This is why community outreach or engagement programmes are needed so we can raise awareness on the realities of human trafficking and encourage community members to recognise and report any suspicious activities of child labour exploitation to the nearest police station as well as the ministry of gender," said Transit Monitor of Love Justice, Josephine Poniso.