A Kadoma man has been arrested for attempting to sell his eight-year-old daughter to a Chivhu businessman for ritual killing.

Tapiwa Vhutani (27) of Kumboedza Farm in Kadoma was arrested after he continuously pestered businessman Obert Juru – son to Bishop Ollah Juru – that he was selling his daughter for $12 000.

Vhutani appeared before Magistrate Winfilda Tiyatara at Chivhu Magistrate Court last week facing allegations of “conspiracy to commit murder”, contravening Section 188 (1) (b) as read with section 47 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, chapter 9:23.

He was remanded in custody to this Tuesday.

According to state papers, Vhutani was trapped and arrested on the spot by the Chivhu Criminal Investigations Department (CID) police while attempting to hand over his daughter to another team of law enforcement agents who posed as potential buyers.

In his statement to the police which was presented in court, Vhutani said he had heard through the media that there are people from South Africa who buy children for killing to enhance business fortunes.