Zambia: The nephew of a 47-year-old man of Mutalaiti area in Mongu has murdered his uncle brutally. The victim was believed to have been a practitioner of witchcraft. The incident happened on Saturday at 18:00 hours.
The Zambia Police Service Deputy Spokesperson Danny Mwale spoke to the media regarding the incident. He also identified the suspect as Muyunda Nangalelwa. He was found responsible for the gruesome killing of Namawa Kabisa.
The suspect believed that the deceased was responsible for the sudden death of his grandson. Notably, the suspect hit his uncle on the head before stabbing him in the throat. Afterwards, he ran away from the house.
The police force believes that the suspect used an axe and a Knife in the murder attempt. The Police have started an investigation into the matter. According to the investigating officers, the suspect’s grandson fell ill on Saturday and was rushed to the hospital.
He was treated at the Mutalaiti Clinic for a few hours before he allegedly died while he was receiving treatment. Afterwards, the relatives of the deceased boy sought the help of the witchfinder, identified as Mandinda of the Mandanga compound in Mongu District.
The relatives wanted to resuscitate the dead boy as they believed that the boy had been under witchcraft. According to the relatives, the boy was bewitched by means of ‘Mutukule’.
This 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. The Deputy Spokesperson explains that after Mandinda failed to bring the dead child back to life, he left the Mutalaiti area back for Mongu.
He indicates that all the people, including Kabisa, gathered at Ndowana village to prepare the remains of the child for burial. While this was happening, the suspected assailant, 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,” states Mwale.
“Kabisa was rushed to Lewanika General Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.”
The body is in the same Hospital mortuary pending postmortem examination while the suspect is on the run and a manhunt has been launched.