The Ndola Magistrate’s Court has heard how four Croatian couples accused of attempted child trafficking, were found with Zambian children at a Guest House in Ndola.
Testifying before Chief Resident Magistrate Dominic Makalicha, a guesthouse General Manager, Estelle Banda, has told the court that she got suspicious after the four couples checked-in.
According to the witness, the accused people stayed at the lodge for five days but the lodge only noticed that they had the children on the third day when one of the house keepers found one of the children aged about one-year old crying.
And receptionist Ethel Chabala also informed the court that she only saw the children two days after the accused persons checked in, when the youngest child was crying uncontrollably, a matter that raised suspicion that the toddlers may have been held against their will.
After the discovery was later reported to the police and consequently led to the arrest of the eight Croatian nationals.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Dominic Makalicha has granted the four couples bail pending trial of K20, 000 cash with two traceable sureties.
Trial continues on 23rd January, 2023.
By Lovemore Sondashi & Darius Choonya