Seven convicted in plot to sell woman with albinism for $150,000

Seven men, including a Mozambican national, have been convicted by the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court for abducting a 27-year-old woman with albinism in a plot to sell her for $150,000.

Theresa Andreas’ ordeal began when she was lured from her home in Mozambique under the pretext of marriage, only to be smuggled across the border into Zambia. In Lusaka, the group planned to hand her over to an alleged buyer.

Resident Magistrate Constance Kansakala found Patson Tembo, Moses Banda (the Mozambican), Jackson Zulu, Andrew Kabali, Emmanuel Mwanza, Richard Moonga, and Daniel Mwanza guilty of conspiring to kidnap Andreas, smuggle her into Zambia, and deliver her to a buyer for financial gain.

Court proceedings revealed that Banda courted Andreas with promises of marriage, instructing her to move to Zambia.

Once she arrived, his accomplices forcibly abducted her, covering her with a cloth and transporting her on a motorbike from Petauke in Eastern Province to Lusaka. She was then kept hidden while the group awaited payment.

The abduction came to light after Andreas’ brother reported her disappearance in Mozambique.

Police investigations quickly focused on Banda, who was the last person seen with her, leading to the arrest of him and his accomplices in Lusaka before the alleged sale could take place.

During the trial, Tembo admitted that the group intended to sell Andreas to a Lusaka businessman for $150,000. He explained that Banda was tasked with gaining her trust through false promises of marriage.

Although Banda and five others denied involvement, claiming they were in Lusaka seeking employment, Magistrate Kansakala dismissed their defence. Evidence revealed communications among the group demanding payment linked to the abduction.

“The prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused acted together with full knowledge and intent to traffic Andreas for financial gain,” Magistrate Kansakala said.

Given that the offences carry a minimum sentence of 25 years with hard labour, the case has been referred to the High Court for sentencing.

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