POLICE in Kapiri Mposhi have arrested a man and two of his sons who attempted to sell four of his other children at over K200 million for alleged economic reasons.
Jones Chiinga, 48,  and  two  of  his  sons  Noston 24 and Nickson 29, were arrested and charged with  the offence  of  conspiracy to  murder contrary to the Laws  of  Zambia.
According to police sources,  the trio is alleged to have attempted to sell the siblings to a named Pentecostal church in Kabwe in a suspected ritual act that would have resulted in the children being sacrificed for blood.
Central Province Police chief Solomon Jere who confirmed the development said police received a tip from a member of the said church that Noston and Nickson had approached the church and were advertising four children for sale.
The church member is alleged to have also told the police that the incident happened around 18:30 hours on Friday last week.
Dr Jere said a three-year-old girl was being sold for K70 million, a 21-year-old boy was going for K60 million while the balance was to come from the sale of the other two children whose identities were not yet established.
He said the  father of Noston and Nickson had earlier remained at a hiding place  while  the two approached the church and were advertising and negotiating the sale  of four children at a total cost of  K271 million.
But police managed to corner him after they had arrested the two who were at the church.
“We take this case to be that of conspiracy to murder because the children, if sold, were destined to be killed,” Dr Jere said.
He  said Mr  Chiinga had  continued  to  plead  with  the police  to release  him and  his  two  sons and  was  ready  to surrender  his Canter  light truck in exchange  for  their  freedom.
The three, all of Mabinga village in Chipepo area of Kapiri-Mposhi District, were detained at Kasanda police station and were expected to appear in court soon.
He said investigations had also been launched to establish the activities at the named church.