Two men have been arrested in Zambia on suspicion of trying to harm the president through acts of witchcraft. Police seized amulets, including a live chameleon. What are the political implications of this unusual affair?
In Zambia, two men were arrested for acts that were unusual to say the least: witchcraft targeting the country's president, Hakainde Hichilema. The police claim to have found them in possession of amulets, including a living chameleon, which they allegedly wanted to use for evil purposes against the head of state. This affair sheds harsh light on the political tensions in this southern African country.
Suspected “witches” arrested with amulets
The two suspects, a Mozambican and a Zambian, were arrested for “alleged mastery of witchcraft” and “possession of amulets”, offenses under Zambia's occult law. According to the police, their “supposed mission was to use spells to harm the head of state”. In addition to the amulets, the police also seized a living chameleonthe animal being suspected of playing a role in their evil designs. The two men are also being prosecuted for acts of cruelty towards wild animals.
A case with political ramifications
But this witchcraft affair is perhaps only the tip of the iceberg. According to the first elements of the investigation, the two alleged “sorcerers” were in reality hired by a brother ofEmmanuel Jay Bandaa Zambian opposition MP currently on trial for various crimes, including aggravated robbery and attempted murder. The opposition has also been in the crosshairs of the authorities recently.
In August, Fred M'membe, leader of the small Socialist Party, was arrested for “seditious practices” after the publication of an article reporting remarks attributed to the president of the DRC and implicating the Zambian authorities. At the same time, Thomas Zgambo, journalist running the website Whistleblower, suffered the same fate for having stated in an article that an administration was renting offices in a building belonging to President Hichilema.
Hakainde Hichilema, a president under pressure
Hakainde Hichilema assumed the presidency of Zambia in August 2021, defeating incumbent President Edgar Lungu in his sixth attempt. A long-time opponent, he now finds himself having to manage a country plagued by multiple economic and social difficulties. And the alleged acts of witchcraft targeting him seem to indicate that political tensions are far from being eased more than a year after his election.
This surreal affair highlights the persistence of certain beliefs in witchcraft in Africa, but above all raises questions about the political stability of Zambia. In an already tense context, with opposition sous pression and the media worried, the accusation of witchcraft against the president only adds to the confusion. It remains to be seen how this situation will evolve and whether Hakainde Hichilema will manage to appease the spirits, with or without magic.
But this witchcraft affair is perhaps only the tip of the iceberg. According to the first elements of the investigation, the two alleged “sorcerers” were in reality hired by a brother ofEmmanuel Jay Bandaa Zambian opposition MP currently on trial for various crimes, including aggravated robbery and attempted murder. The opposition has also been in the crosshairs of the authorities recently.
In August, Fred M'membe, leader of the small Socialist Party, was arrested for “seditious practices” after the publication of an article reporting remarks attributed to the president of the DRC and implicating the Zambian authorities. At the same time, Thomas Zgambo, journalist running the website Whistleblower, suffered the same fate for having stated in an article that an administration was renting offices in a building belonging to President Hichilema.
Hakainde Hichilema, a president under pressure
Hakainde Hichilema assumed the presidency of Zambia in August 2021, defeating incumbent President Edgar Lungu in his sixth attempt. A long-time opponent, he now finds himself having to manage a country plagued by multiple economic and social difficulties. And the alleged acts of witchcraft targeting him seem to indicate that political tensions are far from being eased more than a year after his election.
This surreal affair highlights the persistence of certain beliefs in witchcraft in Africa, but above all raises questions about the political stability of Zambia. In an already tense context, with opposition sous pression and the media worried, the accusation of witchcraft against the president only adds to the confusion. It remains to be seen how this situation will evolve and whether Hakainde Hichilema will manage to appease the spirits, with or without magic.
