Two men have been arrested in Zambia accused of trying to bewitch the president. Amulets and a live chameleon were found on the suspects. “The conspiracy included the use of witchcraft to harm the president,” a police spokesman said.
– The suspects took part in illegal and dangerous activities aimed at harming our head of state. We take this matter extremely seriously and are committed to ensuring justice, said Rae Hamoonga, spokesman for the police station in the capital, Lusaka, on Friday.
The detainees were charged with possession of amulets, practicing witchcraft and cruelty to animals. ​​Various amulets were found on the suspects, including a living chameleon.
The capital police, Zambian anti-terrorist units and the immigration department were involved in investigating and foiling the plot.
President Hakainde HichilemaPAP/EPA
“The conspiracy involved the use of witchcraft”
According to preliminary investigations, it was established that the suspects, one of whom is a citizen Mozambiqueare practicing sorcerers hired by Nelson Banda, the younger brother of Emmanuel Jay Banda, a politician of the opposition party to the president and his personal enemy, who fled to Zimbabwe in October.
Fragments of the report revealed by the police spokesman show that “the conspiracy included the use of sorcery to harm the president”, for which the suspects were to receive 2 million Zambian kwachas, or over $70,000.
The suspects are currently in police custody and will soon appear in court in Lusaka. They face at least 10 years in prison.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA