Two Vietnamese citizens face human trafficking charges after exploiting a fellow countrywoman who believed she would earn wages as a massage therapist in Zimbabwe. Huu Dao Phan and Thi My Quyen Duong Them appeared before Harare magistrate Lisa Mutendereki yesterday on trafficking and immigration violations. The defendants recruited their victim during August with false promises of lucrative employment opportunities. The woman arrived at Victoria Falls International Airport on August 14 after the pair arranged her travel expenses. Authorities discovered the accused possessed expired holiday visas that lapsed on September 13.
The defendants seized the victim's passport immediately upon arrival and restricted her movements throughout her stay. They transported her to various locations for massage appointments but withheld all payments while claiming travel costs would be deducted from undisclosed wages. The pair compelled the woman to work during illness and physically assaulted her on September 16 when she refused service due to poor health. The victim sustained visible bruises from the attack before contacting police about her treatment. Officers arrested both individuals following her formal complaint about the trafficking operation.
The defendants seized the victim's passport immediately upon arrival and restricted her movements throughout her stay. They transported her to various locations for massage appointments but withheld all payments while claiming travel costs would be deducted from undisclosed wages. The pair compelled the woman to work during illness and physically assaulted her on September 16 when she refused service due to poor health. The victim sustained visible bruises from the attack before contacting police about her treatment. Officers arrested both individuals following her formal complaint about the trafficking operation.
