Arrests in Zambia Over Alleged Witchcraft Plot Against President

Zambia's police have arrested two suspected witchdoctors accused of plotting to use charms to harm President Hakainde Hichilema. The suspects were reportedly hired by the brother of an opposition MP, who is himself entangled in legal issues. The arrests highlight the country's complex relationship with witchcraft and politics.

Two men have been taken into custody in Zambia for allegedly attempting to cast a spell on President Hakainde Hichilema. Police reports indicate that the duo, identified as Jasten Mabulesse Candunde and Leonard Phiri, were operating in Lusaka under the mission to harm the president through witchcraft.

The police noted that the pair was allegedly tasked with using charms in their attempt to "bewitch" Hichilema. This incident arises amid a backdrop of widespread belief and fear of witchcraft within the region. The suspects were reportedly employed by Nelson Banda, brother to Emmanuel "Jay Jay" Banda, a member of parliament currently facing legal troubles across the border in Zimbabwe.

Emmanuel Banda, previously aligned with former President Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front (PF) party—who lost the presidency to Hichilema in 2021—has claimed that the charges against him are politically motivated. Nelson Banda, linked to these allegations, is currently evading capture.

The police have filed charges against Candunde and Phiri under Zambia's Witchcraft Act, citing offenses including "possession of charms," "professing knowledge of witchcraft," and "cruelty to wild animals." Reportedly, authorities found a variety of charms in their possession, including a live chameleon. The suspects claimed they were promised a financial reward of over 2 million Zambian kwacha (approximately £58,000 or $73,000) for their planned actions.

Currently, the two remain in police custody and are set to appear in court soon, though specific details regarding their hearing have not yet been disclosed. The case underscores Zambia’s intricate ties between folklore and politics, particularly in a climate where allegations of witchcraft can spiral into serious legal consequences.