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.