Son linked to murder of elderly couple in Mungwi, as police condemn witchcraft-related attacks

Police in Northern Province have expressed concern over the increasing cases of killings and attacks on elderly people accused of practicing witchcraft, following the brutal murder of an elderly couple in Mungwi District.

The victims, identified as Lushano Chisanga, aged 84, and his wife Lucia Mulenga, aged 82, were allegedly murdered by their last-born son, Chileshe Chisanga, aged 35, and two unidentified male accomplices.

Northern Province Police Commanding Officer Lucky Munkhondya confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, saying the couple sustained deep wounds consistent with the use of a sharp weapon.

“The male deceased sustained two deep wounds on the lower left back and on the left ribs, while the female victim sustained a deep stab wound on the left side of the ribs. A spear is suspected to have been used in the act,” Munkhondya said.

She explained that the couple had recently moved from Nseluka area to a farm in Mungwi for farming activities.

On October 31, 2025, around 01:00 hours, the couple were asleep in a grass-thatched hut when the suspects allegedly dragged the husband out of bed and struck him with a sharp object while the wife watched helplessly.

“The deceased shouted the name of the last-born child and asked him why he had killed his father in such a merciless manner, but the three turned back and stabbed her in the back,” Munkhondya said.

She added that the attackers then forced the old woman to drink an unknown liquid concoction and poured some into her eyes in an apparent attempt to blind her.

The assailants later fled the scene, leaving the woman severely injured but conscious.

She was discovered the following morning by her son, Richard Chisanga, aged 45, who reported the incident to police.

Officers who visited the scene retrieved the bodies and deposited them in the Mungwi District Hospital mortuary as investigations and arrests continued.

Munkhondya condemned the attack and cautioned the public against targeting elderly citizens on suspicion of witchcraft, describing such acts as barbaric and unlawful.

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