Two Vietnamese citizens found themselves in the dock at a Harare magistrate’s court yesterday, facing serious charges of human trafficking and immigration violations. Huu Dao Phan and Thi My Quyen Duong Them are accused of luring a fellow countrywoman to Zimbabwe with promises of a well-paid job, only to allegedly subject her to a life of servitude. The case was heard before Magistrate Lisa Mutendereki.
The court heard how the defendants allegedly orchestrated the recruitment of the complainant in August. They painted a picture of a lucrative career as a massage therapist in Zimbabwe, a stark contrast to the reality that awaited her.
The pair reportedly arranged and covered all costs for the woman’s travel, facilitating her arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport on August 14. However, upon her arrival, her freedom was immediately stripped away.
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A Life of Confinement and Unpaid Labour
A court official familiar with the details stated that,
“The two confiscated her passport, thereby restricting her movements”
What was promised as a professional opportunity quickly devolved into a nightmare of control. The victim was allegedly taken to various locations to perform massage services, but saw none of the earnings she was promised. The defendants supposedly claimed they were deducting the cost of her air ticket from her undisclosed monthly salary, a payment that never materialised.
The situation escalated further when the victim’s health failed. She was allegedly forced to work even when unwell. The breaking point came on September 16, when, despite being sick, she was ordered to attend to a client.
“She could not do it as she was sick,” the official explained.
This refusal reportedly led to a physical assault, leaving the victim with visible bruises. This act of violence finally spurred her to seek help from the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
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A Web of Deception Unravels
The subsequent police investigation not only supported the victim’s trafficking allegations but also uncovered another layer of illegality. Upon their arrest, it was discovered that Phan and Duong Them were themselves in the country illegally.
“The police realised that the two had holiday visas that had expired on September 13,” just three days before the alleged assault took place.
Their precarious immigration status added weight to the charges against them, portraying a picture of individuals operating outside the bounds of the law on multiple fronts. The case has been adjourned as investigations continue.
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The post Vietnamese Duo In Court For Trafficking Women Under The Pretense Of Massage Parlour Jobs appeared first on iHarare News.
