Mob buries village headman alive over witchcraft claims in Kasempa

A 62-year-old headman of Shapela Village in Kasempa District, North-Western Province, has been killed by a mob that buried him alive over suspicions of witchcraft related to the traditional practice of Kikondo—commonly referred to as the “moving coffin.”

The incident occurred on April 30, 2025, between 10:00 and 18:00 hours and was reported to police at 15:00 hours by Chief Nyoka, Shadrick Subakangu, aged 49, of Mwepu Village.

Police spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, in a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, confirmed that officers in Kasempa were investigating the unlawful killing of the headman, identified as Bowas Ludiya.

Hamoonga explained that the mob suspected Ludiya of causing the death of his grandson, 22-year-old Allan Mewa, who drowned while fishing in a shallow stream known as Mushingashi on April 29.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that Allan Mewa drowned while fishing around 09:00 hours, and his body was retrieved by fellow fishermen for burial arrangements in Nyoka area,” Hamoonga said.

However, during the burial preparations, a mob—defying Chief Nyoka’s advice to treat the death as natural—initiated the Kikondo ritual, a traditional practice believed to reveal those responsible for deaths through witchcraft.

According to police, the coffin was allegedly observed moving under spiritual influence and led by the mob to Ludiya’s residence. The mob accused him of causing Mewa’s death, citing previous disputes over fishing and claims of witchcraft.

Hamoonga recounted the horrific scene: “The mob physically assaulted Mr. Ludiya and forcibly took him to the graveyard, where they buried him alive beneath his grandson’s coffin.”

When officers responded, they found both bodies in the same grave. The site has since been marked for possible exhumation, and a murder docket has been opened. No arrests have yet been made, as both families have reportedly fled the area.

Police revealed this was the second such Kikondo-related burial incident reported in Kasempa District.

Hamoonga condemned the killing, saying, “This deeply disturbing trend must end. No individual has the right to take the law into their own hands, regardless of cultural beliefs or suspicions of witchcraft.”

He said the Provincial Police Command is deploying officers to camp in Nyoka Chiefdom to aid investigations and conduct community sensitization on the dangers and illegality of mob justice and harmful traditional practices like Kikondo.

“The Zambia Police Service appeals to the public to remain calm and cooperate with investigations. Anyone with information is urged to report to the nearest police station,” Hamoonga said.

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