A MAN of Lusaka’s Misisi Compound who works as a wheelbarrow pusher is facing 20 long years in jail after taking the ‘Lusaka is all about business’ joke literally and attempted to sell his own stepdaughter for K150,000.
Simon Silomba 30 of Misisi compound landed himself in hot soup when he made a shocking switch from trekking with wheelbarrow loads of goods around the city to trafficking a tiny human – his own step child whom he lured into accompanying him on the transaction trip with a promise of buying her candy and snacks.
The human trafficker admitted to the offence in the Lusaka Magistrates Court yesterday, much to the shock of the public.
For his actions Silomba, attracted an offense of child trafficking contrary to Section 3a(1) of the Anti-Human Trafficking (Amendment)Act No. 16 of 2022 of the Laws of Zambia.
He is jointly charged with Martin Sichalwe 41, a security guard of Misisi compound and Kennedy Sichweza, 30, a businessman also from Misisi compound.
It is alleged that the trio between March 19, 2024 and March 21, 2024 whilst acting together obtained a child for the purposes of exploitation.
It is alleged that on the date in question the child’s mother spotted her husband Silomba having a dark corner meeting with his accomplices minutes before her daughter went missing.
Upon noticing that it was getting late, Silomba’s wife tried to call his mobile phone but it was switched off prompting her to report the matter to the police.
The child’s mother was later called by the police to inform her that the child was found.
It is alleged that the three wanted to sell the child to a random man in Makeni at K150,000 but he snitched on them to the police.
Appearing before magistrate Mutinta Mwenya the three readily pleaded guilty to the charge.
The matter comes up today for facts and possible committal to the High Court for sentencing.
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba June 25, 2024.
