Two men attempting to kill Zambia president through witchcraft, voodoo jailed

Two men who claimed to possess witchcraft powers and loaded with voodoo, identified as Leonard Phiri and a Mozambican Jasten Mabulesse Candude have been jailed by a Zambian court for attempting to kill President Hakainde Hichilema.

They were arrested in December with charms, including a live chameleon.

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“It is my considered view that the convicts were not only the enemy of the head of state but were also enemies of all Zambians,” Magistrate Fine Mayambu said.

The men found guilty as charged, having discovered that they were hired by a fugitive former MP.

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Despite claiming to be traditional healers, they were found guilty on two counts under the Witchcraft Act.
Zambia has Witchcraft Act fully active and claimants could be charged under the act.

“The two accepted ownership of the charms. Phiri further demonstrated that the chameleon’s tail, once pricked and used in the ritual, would cause death to occur within five days,” the magistrate added.

Lawyer Agrippa Malando said his clients pleaded for leniency as first-time offenders, but the court rejected the request.

The men also received six months for possessing charms, but the sentences run concurrently.

President Hichilema, who does not believe in witchcraft, has not commented. The Witchcraft Act, passed in 1914, is rarely used but aims to protect society from fear and harm.

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