Witchcraft plot against Zambian president foiled – media

Suspects allegedly hired by a fugitive lawmaker were found with charms, including a live chameleon, police say

Two men have been arrested in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, for allegedly attempting to bewitch President Hakainde Hichilema, police said on Friday, as quoted by AP.

Jasten Mabulesse Candunde, a 42-year-old Mozambican national, and Leonard Phiri, a 43-year-old village chief, were reportedly caught with “assorted charms,” including a live chameleon, and are alleged to be “practicing witchdoctors.”

The suspects were charged under Zambia’s Witchcraft Act for “possession of charms,” “professing knowledge of witchcraft,” and “cruelty to wild animals,” police said, as cited by the news agency.

According to police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, the purported mission of the suspects “was to use charms to harm the head of state, His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema.”

Law enforcement also said that the arrested men were hired by Nelson Banda, the younger brother of fugitive lawmaker Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda. The suspects reportedly confessed that they were promised a $7,400 reward upon completing the mission.

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Emmanuel Banda escaped from police custody last year while facing charges of aggravated robbery, AP noted, adding that his whereabouts are unknown. Banda has been an independent member of the National Assembly of Zambia for Petauke Central since 2021, and was previously associated with former President Edgar Lungu.