Victims of the 2016 Kuwait human trafficking incident yesterday refused to testify in a public court saying they fear being victimized by the accused person.
State Prosecutor Netsai Mushayabasa told the court that her witnesses’ issue was sensitive and emotional hence the request for a closed session.
The kingpin behind the human trafficking saga, James Maroodza was arrested on March 15, 2016 and granted $400 bail.
According to the state, Maroodza acted as an employment agent and sent the six victims, (names with-held) to Kuwait to work as maids.
Upon arrival, the six victims were subjected to abuse including working long hours, not being allowed to go outside and getting food once a day among other forms of ill-treatment.
However, Maroodza’s lawyer by Joshua Chirambo is arguing that his client is innocent and what he did was only to help the employment seekers and was not involved in what befell the six victims.