A court in Zambia has sentenced two men to two years in prison for attempting to use witchcraft to kill President Hakainde Hichilema.
Zambian Leonard Phiri and Mozambican Jasten Mabulesse Candunde were convicted under the Witchcraft Act after being arrested in December with charms in their possession, including a live chameleon.
Magistrate Fine Mayambu deemed the convicts to be not only enemies of the president but also of all Zambians.
This case has drawn significant public interest, as it represents the first instance of legal action taken in Zambia against alleged witchcraft targeting a sitting president.
The prosecution suggested that the two men were hired by a fugitive former Member of Parliament to bewitch Hichilema. Despite claiming to be traditional healers, the evidence indicated otherwise, leading to the convictions.
Magistrate Mayambu highlighted the societal fear surrounding witchcraft in Zambia, noting that while it is not scientifically proven, it remains a strong belief among many, including those in rural communities.
In addition to the two-year sentence for 'professing' witchcraft, the men received an additional six-month sentence for possessing charms; however, both sentences will run concurrently.
President Hichilema, who does not believe in witchcraft, has yet to comment on the case. Meanwhile, legal experts have noted that prosecutions under the colonial-era Witchcraft Act are rare, primarily serving to protect vulnerable individuals from violence stemming from witchcraft accusations.
This case sheds light on the complex interplay between traditional beliefs, societal norms, and legal practices in Zambia, as it also coincides with national discussions surrounding the burial of the late President Edgar Lungu amidst allegations of occult practices.
