In a bizarre twist to Zambia’s political landscape, two men have been arrested for allegedly attempting to use witchcraft to harm President Hakainde Hichilema. The police in Lusaka confirmed the arrests of Jasten Mabulesse Candunde and Leonard Phiri, both accused of being ‘witchdoctors’ hired to carry out the sinister mission.
The suspects were apprehended after being found with a variety of charms, including a live chameleon, and charged under Zambia’s Witchcraft Act for ‘possession of charms,’ ‘professing knowledge of witchcraft,’ and ‘cruelty to wild animals.’ According to the police statement, the pair had been promised a substantial reward of over ZK2 million (roughly $73,000) for their efforts.
The plot was allegedly orchestrated by Nelson Banda, the younger brother of independent Member of Parliament (MP) Emmanuel ‘Jay Jay’ Banda, who is currently facing charges in neighbouring Zimbabwe for robbery and is accused of escaping custody. Banda has previously been associated with former President Edgar Lungu’s Patriotic Front (PF) party, which lost power to Hichilema in 2021. The opposition party has claimed that the charges against Banda are politically motivated.
The police stated that Nelson Banda, who is allegedly on the run, was the key figure behind the witchcraft attempt targeting President Hichilema. This sensational case has brought to light the ongoing belief in witchcraft that still prevails in parts of Zambia, with some people willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve political gain.
Authorities have confirmed that the suspects will soon face court proceedings, though a date for the hearing has not been set. As the investigation continues, the bizarre plot has sent shockwaves through Zambia, raising questions about the lengths to which some individuals are willing to go in the pursuit of power.
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