Zimbabwe: 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report Notes Legal Gaps, Declining Convictions

• Zimbabwe's 2014 Trafficking in Persons Act is inconsistent with international law due to its movement-based definition and inadequate definition of 'exploitation'.
• During the reporting period, the government investigated 14 trafficking cases and prosecuted one suspect, but secured no convictions, a decline from the previous year.
• Significant concerns about official complicity and corruption persist, with no government employees investigated or prosecuted for involvement in human trafficking crimes.
• Court backlogs, a lack of judicial capacity, and funding restraints continue to hinder effective anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts in Zimbabwe.
• The government identified 21 victims and allocated ZWL 100 million (approximately $155,000) for victim services, while also training 665 detectives in anti-trafficking detection and investigation.

Corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes remained significant concerns, directly inhibiting effective law enforcement action throughout the year.

The government of Zimbabwe continued its efforts in prosecuting human trafficking cases, operating under a legal framework that includes the 2014 Trafficking in Persons Act. However, this primary piece of **Zimbabwe human trafficking law** is inconsistent with international standards, as it defines trafficking as a movement-based crime and lacks an adequate definition of "exploitation." This narrow focus on transport, whether involuntary or voluntary for an unlawful purpose, into, outside, or within Zimbabwe, means the nation's legal provisions do not comprehensively prohibit all forms of trafficking crimes.

Penalties under the 2014 Act are stringent, ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, and are considered commensurate with those for other grave offenses like rape when applied to sex trafficking. Additionally, **Zimbabwe forced labor legislation** is addressed by the Labor Relations Amendment Act, which criminalizes forced labor and carries penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine, or both, also deemed sufficiently stringent. In contrast, the **Zimbabwe criminal law codification reform act** criminalizes procuring individuals for unlawful sexual conduct, both domestically and internationally, but its prescribed penalties of up to two years' imprisonment are not considered stringent enough for sex trafficking offenses. Notably, no new amendments, laws, or sentencing guidelines related to trafficking in persons were adopted during the reporting period, a key observation for the **Zimbabwe 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report**.

Despite the legal framework, enforcement outcomes in Zimbabwe showed a decline in convictions during the latest reporting period. The government reported investigating 14 trafficking cases and prosecuting only one suspect, with no convictions recorded. This contrasts sharply with the previous year's figures, which saw one investigation, two prosecutions, and four convictions. These figures highlight significant **Zimbabwe anti-trafficking enforcement challenges**.

Key impediments to effective law enforcement include persistent court backlogs and a continued lack of judicial capacity. While the police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is tasked with investigating grave crimes, including trafficking, observers noted that funding restraints severely limit the appropriate investigation, prosecution, and conviction of traffickers, particularly in rural areas where local police often handle such cases. The government did, however, demonstrate international cooperation, participating in an operation that intercepted migrants from Mozambique, Malawi, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh within Zimbabwe, who were en route to South Africa.

A critical concern undermining anti-trafficking efforts in Zimbabwe is the pervasive issue of official complicity and corruption. During the reporting period, the government did not report any investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of its employees for alleged involvement in human trafficking crimes, nor were any additional actions taken on cases reported in previous years. This lack of accountability persists despite **Zimbabwe government complicity human trafficking** remaining a significant concern, directly inhibiting effective law enforcement action throughout the year.

Specific allegations of corruption include officials accepting bribes to avoid inspecting farms or businesses known to use exploitative labor practices. Immigration officials were also reportedly involved in accepting bribes to facilitate unauthorized entry for criminal groups engaged in trafficking. Furthermore, violent gangs were alleged to have bribed police and politicians to operate artisanal and defunct gold mines where forced labor was utilized, illustrating the deep-seated nature of corruption impacting the fight against human trafficking.

The government maintained its victim protection efforts, identifying 21 victims and referring 12 to care during the reporting period, a decrease from the 34 identified in the previous year. Once identified by law enforcement, victims are referred to the Ministry of Public Service, Labor, and Social Welfare for placement in appropriate care. The government continues to utilize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and a National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for victim support, although non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have reported inconsistencies in their implementation.

In terms of resources, the government reported assisting 21 victims and allocated approximately ZWL 100 million (equivalent to about $155,000) directly for victim services. Concurrently, efforts were made to enhance law enforcement capacity through anti-trafficking training. The Criminal Investigation Division conducted workshops where 665 detectives received training aimed at improving their ability to detect and investigate trafficking cases.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising entities operating in Zimbabwe should note the continued deficiencies in the 2014 Trafficking in Persons Act, particularly the inadequate definition of 'exploitation' and its focus on movement, which creates legal loopholes. They must also be aware of the significant concerns regarding official complicity and corruption, which can hinder effective enforcement and increase compliance risks related to human trafficking and forced labor within supply chains or operations.

Source: Reporting based on official government data