Zambian Court Sentences Two Men for Witchcraft Plot to Assassinate President

Lusaka, Zambia – A Zambian court has sentenced two men to prison after convicting them of conspiring to use witchcraft in a plot to assassinate President Hakainde Hichilema.

The court found the defendants guilty of attempting to procure supernatural means to harm the president, a case that has drawn significant public attention due to its unusual nature. Prosecutors said the men sought the services of a traditional healer, believing they could use rituals to cause the president's death.

The judge described the actions as both unlawful and dangerous, underscoring that the use of witchcraft for criminal purposes would not be tolerated under Zambian law.

The two men received custodial sentences, though the length of imprisonment was not immediately disclosed. Legal experts say the case highlights ongoing tensions between traditional belief systems and the modern justice system in parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

Authorities have not indicated any broader threats to the president, who continues to serve his term amid ongoing political and economic reforms.