Court Sentences 2 Men for Using "juju" in Plot to Assassinate President
- Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema reportedly survived an assassination attempt initiated using juju, a Nigerian word for witchcraft
- The two men were convicted in the southern African country for allegedly using witchcraft in a plot to assassinate the president
- The court ruling has started generating mixed reactions from Africans, who questioned it since there is no scientific confirmation for the allegation
A Zambian court has sentenced two men to two years in prison each. They were convicted of using witchcraft, popularly known as "juju" in Nigerian context, with the aim of assassinating the president, Hakainde Hichilema.
The two convicts are Zambian Leonard Phiri and Mozambican Jasten Mabulesse Candunde. They were sentenced under the country's Witchcraft Act after they were arrested with charms, with a live chameleon, in December 2025.
Source: Facebook
How court convicted two Zambians for juju
In delivering his judgment, Magistrate Fine Mayambu described the convicted men as "not only the enemy of the head of state but were also enemies of all Zambians."
The case was closely followed by many as it was the first time in the country's history that someone would be tried for using witchcraft against the president.
According to the prosecutor, a fugitive former member of the country's parliament hired Candunde and Phiri to bewitch President Hichilema. The accused had insisted that they were only traditional healers, but the court found them guilty of two charges under the Witchcraft Act.
The lawyer for the accused pleaded for leniency, adding that they were first offenders and should be fined, but the court rejected their plea and sentenced them to two years in prison.
Reactions trail plot to assassinate Zambian president
The video of the narratives, which was shared by TRT Afrika, has started generating reactions from some concerned citizens. Below are some of their reactions:
Mufilika commented
"An antelope was running rapidly. An elephant questioned, "Antelope, why are you running like that?" The antelope explained, "The authorities are detaining all the goats in the village." The elephant pointed out, "But you are not a goat!" The antelope countered, "With our current justice system, it will take me 20 years to prove that I am not a goat." As a result, the elephant also began running."
Chellah reacted:
"So, for the president, witchcraft is real, but for us commoners, they say there is nothing like witchcraft; this means, 'no one is above the law,' does not exist."
Source: Facebook
Ben Patrick said:
"As a Zambian, I admit the presence of witchcraft intended for harm in my country. I am just worried about how you can prove such a case in court."
Rso wrote:
"Two men threatening the life of one man with 'magic' go to prison. Meanwhile, some Chinese destroy the freshwater source for 12 million, and they walk free."
Mulenga Bwalya stated:
"I am waiting for them to come and get my grandma, please, she's also a witch napapata family yachula."
See the video here:
African presidents who were defeated during re-election
Legit.ng earlier reported that African countries are getting it right in the quest for democracy, as many of them have successfully experienced a democratic change of government without military intervention.
This has happened at times when the tension was high and the fear of the military's return gripped several citizens in some African countries.
Despite the fear, several African presidents have been defeated while seeking re-election, and they handed over power without military intervention; their names have been compiled.
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Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
