Two men were arrested in Zambia, accused of attempting to bewitch the country’s president, Hakainde Hichilema. The arrest, which has captured significant public attention, took place in Lusaka, the capital city, and highlights a deep-seated belief in witchcraft in the southern African nation.
The two men, identified as Jasten Mabulesse Candunde and Leonard Phiri, were reportedly hired by Nelson Banda, the younger brother of opposition MP Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda. The police statement, released on Friday, outlined that Candunde and Phiri’s mission was to use charms in an effort to harm the president, marking the latest chapter in a series of politically charged events surrounding the Banda family.
Zambia, like many African countries, has a long history of belief in witchcraft, and many people still live in fear of its alleged power. The authorities claim that the suspects were found in possession of various “assorted charms,” including a live chameleon, which is often linked to mystical practices. Their arrest under the Witchcraft Act, which prohibits the possession of charms and the professing of knowledge about witchcraft, has stirred both fear and intrigue among the public.
While Candunde and Phiri have been charged with possession of charms, cruelty to wild animals, and professing knowledge of witchcraft, the case has political undertones. The two men reportedly told the police they were promised over 2 million Zambian Kwacha (approximately $73,000) for completing the mission. It remains unclear whether the sum was paid in advance or if the promise was contingent on their success.
The connection to Emmanuel Banda, a controversial figure in Zambian politics, has added further layers of intrigue to the case. Banda, an independent member of parliament since 2021, was previously aligned with former President Edgar Lungu and his Patriotic Front (PF) party. Banda has also been linked to accusations of escaping custody in August while awaiting trial on robbery charges, which he denies. His brother, Nelson Banda, who is currently at large, is allegedly the one who recruited the suspected witchdoctors for the mission.
The political implications of the case have been widely discussed. The PF party, led by Lungu, has previously accused the current administration of politically motivated charges against Banda. Critics have claimed that the accusations against Emmanuel Banda, especially in the wake of his involvement with Lungu’s PF, are part of a broader political battle. Banda’s ties to the former president, who lost to Hichilema in the 2021 election, fuel suspicions that this attempt to bewitch the president could be politically driven.
President Hichilema, who came into power after defeating Lungu in a historic election, has faced a turbulent political environment, with continued challenges from opposition figures. His administration has emphasized anti-corruption efforts and economic reforms, but the arrest of the two suspects underscores the extent to which politics and traditional beliefs collide in Zambia’s public sphere.
The case is likely to provoke further debate on the intersection of witchcraft, politics, and the law in Zambia. For now, Candunde and Phiri are in custody, awaiting their day in court. They are expected to face trial soon, although the police have yet to announce an exact date for the hearing. As their case unfolds, it serves as a reminder of how deeply entrenched witchcraft and political rivalries remain in the fabric of Zambian society.
As this story develops, it will be interesting to see whether the public’s fascination with witchcraft and the political climate surrounding the Banda family will influence the trial and its outcome. The combination of superstition, politics, and law in this unusual case has captivated many, and Zambia will be watching closely as the drama continues to unfold.
