Seven Men Convicted for Trafficking Woman with Albinism, Face 25+ Years

A Lusaka Magistrate's Court has convicted seven men for trafficking a 26-year-old woman with albinism from Mozambique, attempting to sell her for $150,000. The case has been committed to the High Court, where the men face a minimum sentence of 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.

Magistrate Constance Kasankala found the accused guilty of trafficking Theresa Andreas in February 2024. Among the convicted, Patson Tembo, 60, pleaded guilty and offered to identify the intended buyer. The other six men - Moses Banda, Jackson Zulu, Andrew Kabali, Emmanuel Mwanza, Richard Moonga, and Daniel Mwanza - had pleaded not guilty.

The court heard that Banda had visited Andreas in Mozambique proposing marriage before restraining her, covering her face, and transporting her via motorcycle to Petauke, then Lusaka. Andreas testified that her hands, feet, and eyes were bound during the ordeal.

The prosecution presented ten witnesses proving the men facilitated human smuggling and trafficking between 6-16 February 2024. While sexual exploitation charges weren't proven, Magistrate Kasankala determined the victim was trafficked for financial gain, noting Tembo admitted planning to sell her for $150,000.

All seven convicts are first-time offenders. The High Court will impose sentencing, as the offence carries up to 30 years imprisonment - beyond the magistrate's sentencing jurisdiction.