3 ALIENS HELD FOR SUSPECTED HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Sat, 02 Sep 2017 10:41:55 +0000

By Annie Zulu

POLICE in Eastern Province have arrested three foreigners in a suspected human trafficking case involving 21 people from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Provincial Police Commissioner, Alex Chilufya said 13 of the 21 are children aged been two and 14 while the remaining eight are aged between 15 and 19.

Mr Chilufya said those arrested are Regina Musonoya aged 30, a Malawian national of Lilongwe, Kiputa Leo aged 43 of Katanga Province in Congo DR and Benjamin Numi Banza 43, a Congolese national of Katanga Province.

He said the trio are charged with smuggling of persons.

Mr Chilufya said the three were apprehended by Police at Petauke town checkpoint upon discovery that they had with them 21 juveniles.

Mr Chilufya said all of them had travelled on public transport from Congo DR via the Copperbelt and Lusaka through Eastern Province en route to Malawi.

He indicated that the trio had no legal documents either for themselves or the children, enabling them to convey or transport the children across international boundaries nor as legal custodians of the said children.

Mr Chilufya said police were treating the matter as one of suspected human trafficking. He said the suspects were in Police custody while the victims have been placed in secure homes to protect and guarantee their safety and welfare as investigations continue.