A Lusaka Magistrate Court has sentenced two men in prison for two years with hard labor over an alleged plot to kill President Hakainde Hichilema with witchcraft.
The two, Leonard Phiri, 43 a Zambian and a Mozambican citizen, Jasten Mabulesse Candunde, 42, were arrested in December last year after authorities allegedly found a live chameleon and other “assorted charms” in their possession.
The two men have also been sentenced for to additional six months for being in possession of charms. The two sentences are to run concurrently.
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga last year said the suspects were “witchdoctors” who were attempting to use charms to harm the Head of State.
According to the Police, the suspects had admitted to the crime and disclosed that they had agreed to receive a full payment of $7,400 for the “mission.”
In his ruling on Monday, magistrate Fine Mayambu described the convicts as “not only enemies of the head of state but all Zambians.”
Mayambu added that “the motive of the crime was to kill the head of state,” contrary to the Witchcraft Act of Zambia.
President Hakainde who has consistently described himself as a “liberated soul” has maintained he does not believe in witchcraft.
The sentencing of the two men has sparked debate over the impact of spirituality in governance and rule of law.
