Traditional healers deny alleged plot to harm President Hichilema, claim police coerced confessions

Two traditional healers accused of attempting to harm President Hakainde Hichilema through witchcraft have told the court that police officers forced them to confess and to demonstrate how the alleged charms supposedly worked.

In a dramatic turn, both accused men — Leonard Phiri, 43, of Sinda, and Jasten Mabulesse Candude, 42, a Mozambican national — insisted they had no knowledge of any plot and did not even know who President Hichilema was.

They also said they did not recognise Emmanuel Jay Banda, who had been linked to the case.

The duo appeared before Lusaka Magistrate Fine Mayambu, who earlier ruled that a prima facie case had been established against them for professing knowledge of witchcraft and possession of charms. Judgment is scheduled for September 8, 2025, with the defence ordered to file written submissions by August 14.

Phiri told the court that he was invited from Sinda to Lusaka by a man named Nason Banda to treat his sick mother.

“I came with medicine to heal people. I was shocked when we were picked up by police. I stayed blindfolded for six days. I was forced to say things I didn’t know,” he said.

Under cross-examination, Phiri denied demonstrating any charms intended to harm the president, saying he only carried powdered medicine for healing. When asked if he recognised the president, he replied, “I live in the village. I don’t know him very well. I don’t know President Hakainde Hichilema.”

His co-accused, Candude, testified that he was called from Mozambique to treat Nason’s mother for spiritual afflictions.

“I was arrested by immigration officers before I could do anything.
They accused me of being a witch and possessing poison, which I deny. I only carried traditional medicine for healing and good luck,” he said.

Candude also claimed he was blindfolded for six days and pressured to admit to crimes he did not commit. “I was told I came to bewitch the president. Those were the officers’ words, not mine,” he added.

Both men maintained that their medicines were solely for healing purposes and denied any involvement in a plot against the head of state.

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