By North American,Tshuma Rueben

Copyright myzimbabwe

LUSAKA – A court has handed down two-year prison sentences with hard labour to two men convicted of conspiring to kill Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema through witchcraft. The ruling, delivered on Monday, has ignited debate about the application of colonial-era laws and the enduring prevalence of traditional beliefs in Zambia.

The two individuals, Leonard Phiri, a 43-year-old Zambian national, and Jasten Candunde, a 42-year-old Mozambican national, were found guilty last week under the country’s witchcraft legislation, which dates back to 1914. Magistrate Fine Mayambu presided over the case, which has been steeped in both legal and political intrigue.

The court heard that Phiri and Candunde were apprehended in a Lusaka hotel room last year after a cleaner reported suspicious noises emanating from their room. A police search uncovered a collection of items deemed to be charms, including a live chameleon, an animal tail, and twelve bottles filled with various concoctions.

Prosecutors argued that these items were intended to be used in a ritual designed to cast a deadly spell on President Hichilema. The prosecution further alleged that the two men were hired by a fugitive former Member of Parliament to carry out the act of bewitchment.

Magistrate Mayambu highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “It is my considered view that the convicts were not only the enemy of the head of state but were also enemies of all Zambians.” This statement underscored the court’s perception of the accused as posing a threat not only to the President but to the entire nation.

During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence that the accused had admitted ownership of the charms. “The two accepted ownership of the charms. Phiri further demonstrated that the chameleon’s tail, once pricked and used in the ritual, would cause death to occur within five days,” the magistrate noted. This demonstration was presented as evidence of the men’s intent to cause harm to the President.

In their defence, Phiri and Candunde pleaded for leniency from Magistrate Mayambu. However, their pleas were ultimately unsuccessful in mitigating the severity of the sentence.

Zambia’s witchcraft law, which served as the basis for the conviction, defines the practice of witchcraft as “pretending to exercise any kind of supernatural power, sorcery, or enchantment intended to cause fear, annoyance, or injury.” The law carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

The case has also been marked by political undertones. Prosecutors alleged that the two men were hired by a brother of a former lawmaker to curse President Hichilema. This element of political intrigue has added another layer of complexity to the proceedings.

The conviction and sentencing have sparked debate about the relevance and appropriateness of Zambia’s witchcraft law in the 21st century. While some argue that the law is an outdated relic of the colonial era, others maintain that it is necessary to address genuine concerns about the misuse of traditional beliefs for harmful purposes.

The case also highlights the enduring prevalence of traditional beliefs in Zambia, even alongside the country’s official Christian religion. A 2018 study by the Zambia Law Development Commission revealed that a significant majority of Zambians, approximately 79 percent, believe in witchcraft.

This belief in witchcraft is not unique to Zambia but is widespread in many other African countries. The persistence of these beliefs underscores the complex interplay between traditional and modern worldviews in many parts of the continent.