‘We were forced to sign documents,’ Court agrees witch doctors were coerced in alleged attack against Hichilema

The State has suffered a significant setback in the high-profile case involving two traditional healers accused of attempting to bewitch President Hakainde Hichilema, after the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court ruled that their confession was obtained under duress.

Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Magistrate Fines Mayambu found that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the confession by Mozambican national Jasten Mabulesse Candude and Zambian Leonard Phiri was made voluntarily.

The decision followed a “trial within a trial” held to determine whether the alleged confession, made during police interrogations, could be admitted into evidence.

Read more: Police deny forcing confession in alleged witchcraft plot against Hichilema

The issue came under scrutiny after State witness, Detective Inspector Teddy Bumelo, testified that Candude had admitted to being hired to use witchcraft against President Hichilema.

However, both accused told the court they were tortured and coerced into signing false statements.

They alleged they were blindfolded, beaten, and denied legal representation during questioning at Zambia Police Headquarters.

“We were not told our rights, and we were forced to sign documents under threats,” they said, maintaining that they were in Zambia to treat a client, not to harm the President. The duo further denied being witchdoctors, describing themselves instead as traditional healers.

Despite police claims that the suspects were interviewed in a “conducive” environment after being warned and cautioned, the court found a lack of key evidence.

Magistrate Mayambu noted that while police referred to a video recording of the confession, it was never presented in court.

“The best practice is to document the warning and caution,” said Magistrate Mayambu. “The State had its best evidence—the video—but for reasons best known to them, it was not produced.”

With only oral testimony from the prosecution and conflicting accounts from the accused, the court ruled the confession inadmissible.

“I find that the confession in this case was involuntary and inadmissible,” Magistrate Mayambu ruled.

Following the decision, the prosecution requested an adjournment due to the absence of the next witness, Detective Inspector Bumelo.

The court granted the application and adjourned the matter to May 2, 2025, for continuation of trial.

Candude and Phiri are charged under the Witchcraft Act for professing knowledge of witchcraft and possessing charms, contrary to Sections 5 and 11(2) of the Act, respectively.

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