THEY ARE FUNISHED!! Court Jails Two Men for Plotting to Kill the President Using Witchcraft

In a rare and shocking case, a Zambian court has sentenced two men to two years in prison with hard labour for attempting to use witchcraft to kill President Hakainde Hichilema. The convicted men are Leonard Phiri, 43, a Zambian, and Jasten Candunde, 42, a Mozambican. They were found guilty under a colonial-era law dating back to 1914.

The law, which remains in force today, criminalizes pretending to have supernatural powers or using sorcery to cause fear, harm, or death. Convicts can face up to three years in prison. In this case, the court ruled that the men’s actions posed a serious threat to national security.

During the trial, prosecutors revealed shocking details of the plot. The men were discovered with a live chameleon inside a bottle, an animal tail, and 12 containers of strange mixtures. Authorities said these items were intended for a spell designed to kill the president.

Investigators further claimed the men had been hired by the brother of a former lawmaker, adding a political dimension to the bizarre scheme. The two were arrested in a Lusaka hotel last year after a cleaner reported hearing “strange noises” coming from their room.

In court, both men pleaded for leniency, but the magistrate emphasized that their actions could not be overlooked. “Using witchcraft to harm anyone, especially the head of state, is a serious offence and threatens national security,” the magistrate stated.

Although Zambia is officially a Christian nation, traditional beliefs—including witchcraft—remain deeply rooted. A 2018 study by the Zambia Law Development Commission found that nearly eight out of ten Zambians believe in witchcraft, a belief widely held across Africa.

The case has sparked debate about whether colonial-era witchcraft laws are still relevant in modern times. Legal experts argue, however, that these laws remain necessary to prevent acts that could endanger individuals or destabilize the country.

This unusual incident underscores the enduring influence of traditional beliefs in Zambia and serves as a reminder that even attempts involving supernatural powers can carry serious legal consequences in today’s society.