The Lusaka Magistrate’s Court has ruled that two suspected witch doctors have a case to answer in a bizarre case involving an alleged plot to harm President Hakainde Hichilema through witchcraft.
The accused, Leonard Phiri, 43, a Zambian from Sinda District in Eastern Province, and Jasten Mabulesse Candunde, 42, a Mozambican national, have been placed on their defence, as the court found the prosecution’s evidence strong enough to proceed.
This development follows their arrest in December 2024, when Zambian police detained the duo in Lusaka after uncovering what was described as an attempted spiritual attack on the President.
According to a police statement issued at the time, the alleged mastermind behind the plan was Nelson Banda, a younger brother to Member of Parliament Emmanuel Banda, who was himself facing charges in a separate case involving aggravated robbery. Police say Banda hired the two witch doctors to carry out rituals intended to harm or spiritually weaken the Head of State.
At the time of arrest, authorities recovered various charms (nyanga), live animals including a chameleon, and ritual items believed to be used in the act. Police revealed that the suspects had agreed to perform the rituals for K2 million Zambian kwacha.
Phiri and Candunde were charged with unlawful possession of charms, confessing to knowledge of witchcraft, and cruelty to wildlife, among other offences.
Both suspects will now begin presenting their defence in the next court session.
The case has sparked widespread debate in Zambia, touching on issues of traditional belief systems, security, and the role of witchcraft-related charges in modern jurisprudence.