March 24, 2024 –
A 47-year-old man of Mutalaiti area in Mongu District was brutally murdered by his nephew after he was suspected of practicing witchcraft.
In a statement, Deputy Police Public relations officer Danny Mwale said the gruesome killing of Namawa Kabisa on March 23, 2024 around 18:00 hours by his nephew only identified as Muyunda Nangalelwa was over suspicion that he (Kabisa) was behind the sudden death of his grandchild.
Mr. Mwale stated that the assailant hacked his uncle on the head before stabbing him on the throat and ran away.
Mr. Mwale said an axe and a knife are believed to have been used in the act.
The Deputy Police Public relations officer noted that police investigations indicate that 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.
He said the other relatives to the deceased boy called up a Witchfinder only identified as Mandinda of Mandanga compound in Mongu District to resuscitate the dead boy as 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.
Mr. Mwale explained that after Mandinda failed to bring the dead child back to life, he left Mutalaiti area back to Mongu.
Mwale said all the people including Mr. Kabisa gathered at Ndowana village to prepare the body of the child for burial.
Mr. Mwale further explained that while this was happening, the suspected assailant, Mr. Nan’galelwa suddenly appeared with an axe and knife and smashed his uncle’s head before stabbing him twice on the throat and ran away.
Mr. Mwale said Mr. Kabisa was rushed to Lewanika General Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The Police Deputy Public relations officer added that the body is in the same Hospital mortuary pending postmortem examination while the suspect is on the run and a manhunt has been launched.
