Zambian Court Jails Two Men for Attempting to ‘Bewitch’ President

In a case that has captivated Zambia and reverberated far beyond its borders, two men — Leonard Phiri, a Zambian national, and Jasten Mabulesse Candunde, a Mozambican — were sentenced to two years in prison for attempting to “bewitch” President Hakainde Hichilema. The ruling, delivered by Judge Fine Mayambu, has sparked a nationwide debate about the place of witchcraft laws in modern Zambia, the intersection of tradition and justice, and the state’s role in protecting its leaders and citizens from perceived spiritual threats. This article unpacks the case in exhaustive detail, explores its legal, cultural, and political dimensions, and provides a wide-angle view of the implications for Zambia’s future.

In December 2024, police apprehended Phiri and Candunde after receiving intelligence that they were performing rituals allegedly intended to kill President Hichilema. Authorities reportedly found the pair in possession of assorted charms, herbs, powders, and a live chameleon — an animal traditionally believed to have powerful occult significance. During questioning, Phiri allegedly demonstrated how pricking the tail of the chameleon and chanting incantations would cause a target to die within five days.

The men were charged under Zambia’s colonial-era Witchcraft Act, which criminalizes professing witchcraft or claiming to have the power to harm through supernatural means. The Act, dating back to 1914, has been rarely used in recent decades, making this case historic.

The trial unfolded in a packed courtroom, with members of the public, journalists, and even traditional chiefs in attendance. Prosecutors argued that the defendants had posed an existential threat not just to the president but to Zambia’s stability. “When you target the life of the head of state, you target the peace of the nation,” the state prosecutor said in closing arguments.

Judge Mayambu, delivering judgment, agreed. “It is my considered view that the convicts were not only enemies of the head of state but also enemies of all Zambians,” he declared. The court found them guilty of both professing witchcraft and possessing charms. Each was sentenced to two years on the first count and six months on the second, with sentences to run concurrently.

The Witchcraft Act is one of Zambia’s most controversial laws. Originally enacted by the British colonial government, it sought to curb witchcraft-related violence by punishing those who claim to have magical powers — thus discouraging accusations and mob justice. However, critics argue that the law is outdated and infringes on freedom of belief and cultural practices.

Legal scholar Dickson Jere told the BBC that prosecutions under the Act are rare but legally sound. “The law does not require proof that witchcraft is real — only that a person claims to practice it or instills fear by suggesting they have supernatural powers,” Jere explained. “It is a public order law more than a metaphysical one.”

The case has reignited a conversation about witchcraft’s role in Zambian society. In many rural communities, belief in witchcraft remains widespread. Witchdoctors are often consulted for healing, protection, and vengeance. Anthropologists note that witchcraft functions as a way to explain misfortune, especially in areas where access to healthcare or law enforcement is limited.

Yet, urban Zambians are divided. Some see witchcraft as a dangerous superstition that fuels violence and discrimination, especially against the elderly, women, and children. Others argue it is a legitimate spiritual practice that should be respected as part of Zambia’s cultural heritage.

The fact that the alleged target was President Hichilema adds a sharp political edge. Hichilema, who rose to power after defeating Edgar Lungu in the hotly contested 2021 elections, has faced persistent political hostility. Some analysts suggest that the case could be used to rally sympathy for the president and portray him as a divinely protected leader.

Authorities also revealed that the two men had allegedly been hired by a fugitive former lawmaker, though no further details were provided. This claim has fueled speculation about a possible political plot and whether others might be charged.

The case has divided opinion on social media. Supporters of the judgment argue that any plot — real or imagined — against the president must be taken seriously. “You don’t play with the life of the head of state,” one Facebook user commented. Others mocked the trial as an embarrassing relic of colonial times. “In 2025 we are still jailing people for witchcraft? What next — burning witches at the stake?” one critic tweeted.

Traditional leaders have taken a cautious stance. Chief Chitimukulu, one of Zambia’s most respected royal figures, said the case highlights the need for dialogue between state law and customary practices. “We cannot pretend witchcraft is not part of our reality. The question is how to handle it without harming innocent people,” he said.

The presence of religious leaders during the trial was notable. The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) issued a statement supporting the ruling, saying it sends a strong message that threats to life — whether physical or spiritual — will not be tolerated. Pentecostal pastors, meanwhile, framed the case as evidence of spiritual warfare, calling on Zambians to “pray for the president’s protection.”

The live chameleon seized during the arrest became a powerful symbol in media coverage. In Bantu cosmology, the chameleon is often seen as a messenger between the human and spirit world. Its presence in the case lent an air of mystique that made headlines internationally. Some newspapers ran images of a chameleon alongside photos of the president, emphasizing the drama.

Zambia’s case is not unique. Across Africa, witchcraft accusations continue to play a role in criminal justice. In Tanzania, suspected witches are sometimes lynched by mobs. In Nigeria, Pentecostal pastors frequently claim to “deliver” children accused of witchcraft. In South Africa, witchcraft-related murders still occur despite modern laws.

Human rights organizations, however, warn that criminalizing witchcraft can lead to abuses. Amnesty International has previously called for reform of witchcraft laws, noting they often lead to wrongful arrests and persecution of traditional healers.

Following the verdict, civil society groups have renewed calls for Zambia to review the Witchcraft Act. Some argue it is too vague and can be used to silence dissent or target marginalized groups. Others suggest that reform should balance respect for cultural traditions with human rights protections.

Prominent Lusaka lawyer Linda Kasonde tweeted: “This case shows why we need to modernize our legal framework. We must protect citizens from harm — but we must also ensure justice is evidence-based and not fear-based.”

The conviction of Phiri and Candunde marks a milestone in Zambia’s legal history. It reopens old debates about law, belief, and power in African societies. Whether the case serves as a deterrent or a cautionary tale remains to be seen. But it is clear that the intersection of tradition and modern governance will continue to shape Zambia’s future.

For now, the two men will serve their two-year sentence — and Zambia will continue wrestling with questions as old as the nation itself: what is justice, who defines it, and how does a modern African state reconcile the spirit world with the rule of law?