Trucker tries to 'smuggle hooker' into Zambia

ZAMBIAN truck driver has appeared in court for allegedly attempting to smuggle a suspected prostitute into the neighbouring country.

Bwalya Chisanga (35) allegedly hid Nomatter Nyoni (22) of 3036 Chinotimba, Victoria Falls, in his haulage truck.

Immigration officers discovered Nyoni, who had no traveller's documents at the Victoria Falls Border Post after a search.

The duo appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Rangarirai Gakanje yesterday.

Nyoni is charged with failing to report to an immigration officer upon exiting Zimbabwe and Chisanga is being charged with assisting another person to depart Zimbabwe illegally.

Chisanga is due for continuation of trial tomorrow while Nyoni was remanded in custody to Wednesday next week.

Chisanga denied the charges levelled against him saying he did not intend to take Nyoni to Zambia but wanted to cross the border to withdraw money and pay her for her services.

"I didn't intend to take this lady to Zambia, I didn't have enough cash on me so I only wanted to cross the border to withdraw some money so that I could pay her," said Chisanga.

Nyoni told the court that she was only waiting for money she had been promised by Chisanga.

"Chisanga was going to leave me in his truck at the border post and go to Zambia to get the money," said Nyoni.

Prosecuting Mr Takunda Ndovorwi said the incident happened on Monday.

"On Monday, an immigration officer got an anonymous tip informing her that there was a Zimbabwean woman hiding in a Zambian truck. The officer informed Chisanga that she was going to search his truck and he told her that the woman in his truck was his wife."

"The officer found Nyoni hiding under a blanket at the back of the truck leading to the arrest of the two accused," said Mr Ndovorwi.