Nephew kills uncle in Mongu District for allegedly bewitching his son to death

A 47-year-old man from Mutalaiti, Mongu District, has been murdered by his nephew over suspicion of using witchcraft to kill his grandchild.

According to the police, the suspect identified as Muyunda Nan’galelwa smashed his uncle’s head with an axe before stabbing him twice on the throat on Saturday.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Danny Mwale, said the victim, Namawa Kabisa, was murdered on suspicions that he had killed Nan’galelwa’s child, Malumo Pelekelo, who died after a short illness.

“On Saturday, March 23, 2024 around 09:00 hours, Malumo Pelekelo, the grandchild to Namawa Kabisa, fell sick and was rushed to Mutalaiti Clinic where he died after a short illness,” Mwale stated.

Additionally, in state of disbelief regarding the death of Pelekelo, Mwale said other relatives to the deceased boy called up a witch doctor identified as Mandinda of Mandanga compound in Mongu District to resuscitate the dead boy.

“He was believed to have been bewitched by means of ‘Mutukule’ which is believed to be the type of witchcraft where a person will suddenly look dead in the eyes of everyone when in actual fact he has just disappeared,” he added.

However, Mwale narrated that Mandinda failed to bring the dead child back to life after which all the people including, Kabisa gathered at Ndowana village to prepare the body of the child for burial.

“While this was happening, the suspected assailant, Mr. Nan’galelwa suddenly appeared with an axe and knife. He smashed his uncle’s head before stabbing him twice on the throat and ran away,” he said.

Efforts to save Kabisa failed as he was pronounced ‘dead upon arrival’ by Lewanika General Hospital.

“The body is in the same Hospital mortuary pending postmortem examination while the suspect is on the run and a manhunt has been launched,” Mwale stated.

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