By Mwebantu Editor
Copyright mwebantu
TWO traditional doctors have begged a magistrate not to impose a harsh sentence after being found guilty of being hired to harm President Hakainde Hichilema.
The convicts, Leonard Phiri and Jasten Candunde, pleaded for mercy through their lawyer, Agrippa Malando, arguing that President Hichilema himself has publicly stated that he does not believe witchcraft exists.
The plea was made yesterday after Lusaka magistrate Fine Mayambu convicted the two of professing knowledge of witchcraft and possessing charms.
“Your now, convicted clients are first offenders deserving maximum leniency. The law provides for fines. There are no aggravating circumstances, especially that the Head of State is on record saying there is no witchcraft,” Mr Malando submitted.
Phiri, 43, of Eastern Province, and Candunde, 42, a Mozambican national, were found guilty on two counts.
In the first count, the court heard that between November 22 and 23, 2024, the two pretended to exercise supernatural powers calculated to cause fear.
In the second count, they were found in possession of charms, including a live chameleon, an animal tail, red cloth, and 12 bottles of powdered concoctions.
Delivering judgment, Magistrate Mayambu said the evidence showed that the duo had been hired by Emmanuel Banda, through his brother Nelson, to harm the President in exchange for K13 million.
The magistrate said the accused, who were found with charms, even demonstrated how the items could be used to harm a target.
Evidence before court showed that Phiri was engaged by Candunde to exchange charms to kill President Hichilema after traveling from Eastern Province to Lusaka, where they were received by Munir Zulu.
During investigations, the accused told officers in a recorded interrogation that once a targeted person came into contact with charms spread on the road, that person would die within five days.
“Accused number one [Leonard], in the footage, explained that the tail combined with the charms in the white plastic was intended to harm the Head of State. The two knew what they carried and what they wanted to do when they came to Lusaka,” Magistrate Mayambu said.
The court further noted that in Zambia and other African contexts, belief in witchcraft and supernatural powers is widespread and often leads to violence.
“…such beliefs consequently cause fear, annoyance, and, in many cases, injury or death,” Magistrate Mayambu observed.
He ruled that the conduct of the two clearly constituted the offences of professing knowledge of witchcraft and possession of charms.
Magistrate Mayambu reserved sentencing to Monday next week.
(Mwebantu, Saturday, 13th September, 2025)
