NGOCSTIP – Fight Against Traffickers and Smugglers is not a job for the faint-hearted, as Filistas Shikerete, Namibia’s Deputy Prosecutor General, knows all too well. “Someone has to do it,” she says, reflecting on the immense risks she faces in her work prosecuting cases of human trafficking and migrant smuggling. For over 16 years, Shikerete has fought against these heinous crimes, knowing that the criminal networks she confronts are always one step ahead. Yet, her resolve to seek justice remains unwavering. As the head of Namibia’s High Court specialized unit dedicated to combating these transnational crimes, Shikerete faces challenges that go beyond the courtroom, including threats to her life. Despite these dangers, her commitment to bringing perpetrators to justice and protecting victims continues to drive her.
Shikerete’s journey into prosecuting human trafficking and migrant smuggling cases was fueled by her passion for making a difference. Early in her career, she worked on a rape and murder case, where her close interactions with the victim’s grieving family left a lasting impression. “The words they said to me stuck with me for life. They referred to our unit as angels on Earth,” she recalls. This experience inspired Shikerete to dedicate herself to prosecuting complex and high-stakes crimes, including trafficking and smuggling, with a deep sense of purpose.
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However, one particular case stands out in Shikerete’s career—an emotionally challenging and dangerous prosecution involving a migrant smuggler from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The woman, who had ingrained herself in the local community in Namibia, leveraged her trusted reputation to run a smuggling ring that promised desperate DRC citizens a better life in Canada.
The smuggler deceived victims, leading to brutal violence. One witness recounted that attackers raped and stabbed her while she was pregnant, and many others suffered similar atrocities. The smuggler misled and betrayed the victims, claiming to have connections with the United Nations to gain their trust. Despite her respected status within the community, Shikerete and her team pursued the case and brought the smuggler to trial.
Throughout the trial, Shikerete faced constant threats from the smuggler’s powerful network. One day, the police discovered a petrol-soaked cloth near her car tyres, hinting at the imminent danger she faced. As a result, Shikerete took additional security precautions, using family cars and staying at different homes. She became plagued by nightmares, fearing for her loved ones’ safety.
This was not the first time Shikerete encountered such threats. In 2015, a group of criminals tried to steal case files from her office and set it on fire using a petrol bomb. Although they failed and harmed no one, the incident served as a stark reminder of the extreme risks prosecutors like Shikerete face when taking on criminal organizations.
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One of the most rewarding aspects of prosecuting human trafficking and migrant smuggling cases for Shikerete is stepping in as the voice for victims who have no one to speak on their behalf. “Trafficking victims and smuggled migrants are not everyday victims. In the worst cases, these people are truly broken, shattered, destroyed,” she explains.
Shikerete’s work goes beyond the courtroom. She collaborates with police, social workers, and other professionals to support victims, protect their rights, and prevent re-traumatization. As a prosecutor, Shikerete recognizes the immense power of her role. “You can have a big impact if you just make use of that platform that you have been given.”
Despite the overwhelming nature of these cases, Shikerete constantly reminds herself that these are not just statistics or legal cases—they are real people whose lives, dignity, and future are at stake. She stresses the importance of maintaining empathy and humanity when dealing with such harrowing cases.
Shikerete has received training and mentorship from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which assists criminal justice professionals worldwide in investigating, prosecuting, and convicting traffickers. UNODC also helps prosecutors like Shikerete build networks to strengthen their anti-trafficking and anti-smuggling efforts.
She highlights the significance of training and capacity-building, emphasizing the need for prosecutors to learn how to support victims effectively and protect them from further harm. Shikerete also notes that such training helps prosecutors manage the psychological strain that comes with handling these distressing cases.
Through her work, Shikerete demonstrates the profound impact prosecutors can have in combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Her dedication to justice and the protection of vulnerable individuals continues to inspire those around her, driving the fight against these crimes forward despite the risks and dangers she faces.
