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Court Reporter
The trial of a Zimbabwean woman suspected to be the local ringleader of a human trafficking syndicate started yesterday with the State calling one of the alleged recruits as its first witness. Shamila Roopen (35) of Alexandra Park in Harare is facing allegations of recruiting 22 local women for employment as housemaids in Saudi Arabia.
Through her lawyer, Mr Dumisani Mtombeni of Mtombeni and Associates, Roopen denied the charges.
In her defence, Roopen told the court that she was acting on behalf of Ian Recruitment, a company based in Saudi Arabia.
“I own a company in Zimbabwe called Pursuit Employment Agency, which is registered in terms of the law and I deny recruiting, transferring or harbouring anyone for purposes of human trafficking,” she said.
The prosecutor, Ms Francesca Mukumbiri, called a 22-year-old woman who was among those recruited to give her evidence.
She told the court that she met Roopen last year in December through a friend and started communication via the social platform WhatsApp.
“I then met the accused, the same month at Kwame Nkrumah (PSI offices) for HIV tests. After I tested negative I was told to come back for hepatitis tests on January 22 at Red Crescent Clinic with my passport as well.
“I went for the tests and was told that my passport was to have a visa. I was also told that she would advise me for further proceedings,” she said.
The trial continues today.
Roopen was allegedly found in possession of two Zimbabwean passports belonging to Irene Hove and Rose Mdala as well as their medical reports.
On interrogation she allegedly revealed she was a recruiting agent for a Saudi Arabia-based company owned by Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Neghaimish.
Roopen placed an advertisement online looking for housemaids. She wanted women aged between 21 and 45 years old.
Online Reporter