Authorities in Zambia have charged two suspected “witchdoctors” who were allegedly promised $73,000 to try and bewitch the southern African country’s president, Hakainde Hichilema. Per BBC, the suspects, identified as Jasten Mabulesse Candunde and Leonard Phiri, were arrested in the capital, Lusaka.
“Their purported mission was to use charms to harm” President Hakainde Hichilema, police said in a statement. Several people in Zambia reportedly believe in witchcraft and are wary of the practice.
Police claim Nelson Banda, who is MP Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda’s younger brother, hired Candunde and Phiri to bewitch the president. The two suspects’ arrest came after the parliamentarian was taken into custody in November after he was accused of robbery. Emmanuel Banda, who was arrested in Zimbabwe, however, said he committed no crime. He has since not been spotted in public.
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Besides the robbery allegations, authorities also claim Emmanuel Banda fled from custody while waiting for his court appearance. Police also claim Nelson Banda is “currently on the run.”
Zambia has a Witchcraft Act, and Candunde and Phiri have been charged under that. Police said that at the time of their arrests, the suspects had a live chameleon and other “assorted charms” in their possession, BBC reported.
Police in their statement also claimed that the suspects were promised a $73,000 reward should their attempted bewitchment of the president be successful. Police said Candunde and Phiri have since been detained, adding that they would make their court appearance soon.
But the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) party said those allegations were politically motivated.
