Two Men Sentenced in Zambia for Plotting to Kill President Hichilema

Two men have been convicted in Zambia for conspiring to kill President Hakainde Hichilema using witchcraft. The court in Lusaka sentenced Leonard Phiri, a village chief, and Jasten Mabulesse Candunde, a Mozambican national, to two years in prison with hard labour. Their arrest followed a report from a cleaner who heard unusual noises in December 2023.

Authorities discovered the men in possession of a live chameleon and various items deemed as “assorted charms” including a red cloth, an unidentified white powder, and an animal’s tail. Magistrate Fine Mayambu stated, “The motive of the crime was to kill the head of state,” adding that the convicted individuals represented a threat not just to the president but to all Zambians.

The prosecution revealed that the men were allegedly hired by the brother of opposition MP Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda, who is currently facing serious criminal allegations including robbery and attempted murder. Their conviction stems from a law enacted during the British colonial era that prohibits witchcraft and related practices.

Political Context and Human Rights Concerns

This case comes against a backdrop of increasing criticism directed at President Hichilema for his administration’s approach to free speech and political dissent. Observers have noted that Hichilema has been utilizing the judiciary to silence opponents and has appointed allies to key positions within the electoral commission.

In a column for the Mail & Guardian, Sishuwa Sishuwa, a senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University, argued that the president is “rewriting constitutional rules” to his advantage ahead of national elections scheduled for next year. A report by Human Rights Watch in 2024 highlights similar concerns, noting that Hichilema’s government has displayed authoritarian tendencies, citing harassment of journalists and political activists as part of this trend.

The political climate has become increasingly charged, especially following the death of former president Edgar Lungu in June 2023. Lungu’s family is embroiled in a dispute over the repatriation of his body for a state funeral, claiming that he did not wish for Hichilema to attend. A South African court is currently deliberating whether to allow the Lungus to appeal an earlier decision regarding the body’s return to Zambia.

Witchcraft Allegations and Cultural Perspectives

Accusations of witchcraft are not uncommon in Zambian political discourse. Rumors have emerged suggesting that Hichilema may wish to use Lungu’s body for occult practices, claims the president has publicly dismissed. In an interview with journalist Martine Dennis on her Africa Here & Now podcast, Hichilema stated, “Personally I don’t believe in witchcraft, never believed in witchcraft.”

Despite this, many Zambians argue that traditional spiritual beliefs should not face criminalization. Gankhanani Moyo, a cultural heritage lecturer at the University of Zambia, expressed his disapproval of the colonial law banning such practices, stating, “I hate that colonial piece of legislation that attempts to outlaw a practice that it does not understand.”

As Zambia navigates these complex political and cultural landscapes, the implications of this trial and the surrounding controversies are likely to resonate well beyond the courtroom, affecting the nation’s sociopolitical fabric.