Zambian Police Arrest Two in Alleged ‘Witchcraft’ Plot Against President

Zambian authorities have apprehended two individuals, Jasten Mabulesse Candunde and Leonard Phiri, in the capital city of Lusaka. They are accused of operating as “witchdoctors” and allegedly being assigned the task of attempting to “bewitch” the nation’s president. A police statement issued on Friday indicated that “Their purported mission was to use charms to harm” President Hakainde Hichilema. The police reported that Mr. Candunde and Mr. Phiri were allegedly employed by Nelson Banda, who is the younger brother of Member of Parliament Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda. This incident occurs in a southern African nation where belief in, and fear of, witchcraft is prevalent among many citizens. MP Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda himself was reportedly apprehended last month in neighboring Zimbabwe on robbery charges, which he refutes; however, he has not made any public appearances since. Furthermore, he faces accusations of having absconded from custody in August while awaiting a court appearance. The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) party, under the leadership of former President Edgar Lungu, has previously asserted that these charges carry political motivations. Emmanuel Banda, an independent Member of Parliament since 2021, had prior affiliations with Lungu, who was defeated by Hichilema in the presidential election that same year. The police statement also indicated that Nelson, the MP’s younger brother, is “currently on the run.” Mr. Candunde and Mr. Phiri face charges under Zambia’s Witchcraft Act, specifically for “possession of charms,” “professing knowledge of witchcraft,” and “cruelty to wild animals.” According to the police, the two individuals were discovered with “assorted charms,” which included a live chameleon. The police statement further noted that the suspects informed officers they were promised over 2 million Zambian kwacha (£58,000; $73,000) for undertaking their “mission.” The police stated that the suspects remain in custody and are scheduled to appear in court “soon,” though an exact date for the hearing was not provided. They have not yet publicly addressed the accusations against them.