7 OUT OF 12 SUSPECTS IN FAILED ALBINO JUVENILE TRAFFICKING CASE REARRESTED AFTER CASE WITHDRAWAL BY STATE
Seven out of 12 individuals arrested in Zambia’s western province for attempting to sell a boy living with albinism have been re-arrested. The initial case against the suspects was withdrawn by the Mongu magistrate’s court because they were charged under a repealed legislation that did not exist. The suspects were arrested and charged under section 143 read with section 391 for trafficking in children.
On February 6, 2023, Zambia Police Deputy Public Relations officer, Danny Mwale, revealed in a statement that seven suspects, including four teachers, a school matron aged 53, a nurse aged 33, a taxi driver, and two men who work in a barbershop in Sefula, were all picked up on February 4th, 2023, between 01:00 hours and 04:00 hours in Sefula, Mongu District.
Police recovered 12 cellular phones used for communication by the suspects and some medicines labeled as ‘Diazepam.’ After interrogations, the suspects disclosed that the medicine was intended to be given to the victim once he was captured.
Investigations revealed that the plot to traffic the named albino pupil, who is a learner at Sefula combined school for the blind in Mongu, started in October 2022. A picture of the victim was sent to purported buyers in Lusaka.
The suspects involved in the matter are Felim Makufele of Senanga, a nurse Nanjeke Wakalala 33 of Namboard in Mongu, a driver Aaron Mukube Mubita aged 45 of Mandanga, a general worker Mukumbuta Akushanga 33 of Ilute in Mongu, Bisenga Njamba 34, a teacher at Sefula, Mulemwa Sichilwangi 53, School Matron, and Blessings Lubinda 33, a taxi driver in Sefula.
After the initial case was withdrawn, the Magistrate informed the suspects that they might be re-arrested on the same facts as the withdrawal was not an acquittal. The accused persons were re-arrested by the state in order for them to be rightly charged.
Trafficking in persons, including children, is a heinous crime that violates fundamental human rights. The Zambian government has taken several measures to combat the crime, including passing the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, which provides a legal framework for the prevention and punishment of human trafficking.
The government also established the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit under the Zambia Police Service to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases.
©Mongu Times,