Two men have been sentenced to two years in prison with hard labor in Zambia for plotting to assassinate President Hakainde Hichilema using witchcraft rituals, marking the first case of its kind in the nation’s history.
At a Glance
- Leonard Phiri and Jasten Mabulesse Candunde convicted under Zambia’s 1914 Witchcraft Act
- Ritual items included a live chameleon and animal tail for a death spell
- First prosecution of witchcraft plot against a sitting Zambian president
- Alleged ties to opposition figures deepen political intrigue
Historic Conviction Under Colonial Law
Zambia has recorded its first witchcraft conviction linked to an assassination attempt on the nation’s leader. Leonard Phiri of Zambia and Jasten Mabulesse Candunde of Mozambique were found guilty of attempting to kill President Hakainde Hichilema through occult rituals. The two men were arrested in December 2024 inside a Lusaka hotel, where police discovered ritual objects including a live chameleon and an animal tail. Authorities said the pair intended to complete a spell to end the president’s life within five days.
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The sentencing was carried out under Zambia’s Witchcraft Act of 1914, a colonial-era law that criminalizes claims of supernatural powers used to intimidate or harm. Despite its origin during British rule, the statute remains actively enforced, underscoring how older legal frameworks continue to address modern threats in a society where traditional beliefs carry weight.
Political Undercurrents in a Supernatural Plot
The prosecution alleged that the men were hired by the brother of former opposition lawmaker Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda, suggesting political motivations behind the occult scheme. The revelation added a layer of political rivalry to the case, with the alleged plot surfacing during a period of heightened criticism of President Hichilema’s leadership style.
For Zambian authorities, the matter was not dismissed as superstition. A 2018 survey found that nearly four out of five Zambians believe in witchcraft or supernatural powers, meaning such threats are taken as credible risks to personal safety and political stability. The case illustrates how cultural beliefs intersect with modern governance, especially in contexts where traditional healers and rituals retain influence.
Legal and Cultural Implications
The conviction sets a precedent for prosecuting politically motivated witchcraft cases and demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing supernatural threats as criminal offenses. By enforcing the colonial-era statute, Zambia signals both a respect for cultural realities and a determination to maintain state authority against unconventional forms of attack.
The outcome may also place traditional healers under tighter scrutiny, as authorities seek to differentiate between cultural practices and criminal activity. Legal experts suggest the ruling could spark renewed debate about whether Zambia should reform its witchcraft laws to reflect contemporary governance while still addressing deeply held societal beliefs.
Ultimately, the case illustrates how legal institutions in Zambia navigate the complex balance between modern democratic structures and cultural traditions. By applying a century-old law to a modern political plot, the judiciary reinforced both the protection of state leadership and the enduring significance of traditional belief systems in shaping legal outcomes.
