TEN people suspected to be practicing witchcraft in the lower Zambezi River, in Siavonga, have been apprehended and cleansed by a witch-finder hired by the community.
The ten are said to be members of a witchcraft syndicate that have been terrorizing health workers at Musokwe clinic in Namoomba area.
Recently, health workers at the Government clinic, abandoned the area after experiencing usual happenings prompting the community to seek the services of a witch-finder.
Early this week, the witch-finder, Dr. Bbuta, briefly suspended his operations to allow him go and collect some more cleansing charms after falling to cleanse one of the suspected witches believed to be the leader of the group.
And some villagers spoken to, by the Sun, expressed happiness at the development saying they have suffered enough at the hands of the witches and are now looking forward to leading a normal life after the cleansing.
A community member, Collins Ng’andu, said Government at one point partially closed down the clinic due to reports of witchcraft, forcing people in the area, especially expecting women, to travel to Siavonga district hospital for medical attention.
‘’The community is relieved that some of the people who have been terrorizing them have been cleansed,” he said.
Meanwhile, frightened by the cleansing of their colleagues, some suspected witches in the area have abandoned their homes to avoid being caught by the witch finder.
A check in the area found some old men and women preparing to leave after hearing that the witch finder was around to carry out the final cleansing exercise.
Meanwhile five people of Shiwang’andu District have been arrested for allegedly practicing witchcraft after falling off a magical aeroplane.
Muchinga Province Police Commissioner, Joel Njase, named the suspects as Kasashi Joseph, Adson Sinkala, Joel Ng’ona, Abel Chabalange and Micheal Kunda, all of Kasashi village in Chief Chibesakunda’s area.
“Police in Shiwang’andu have firsthand information in a case of practicing witchcraft in which Kasashi Joseph, aged 59, Adson Sinkala, 83, Joel Ng’ona, 78, Male Abel Chabalange, 83, and Micheal Kunda, 86, all of Kasashi village in Chibesakunda’s area of Shiwangandu District were suspected of Practicing Witchcraft,” Mr. Njase said.
Mr Njase said one of the suspects Joseph Kasashi allegedly fell off from a magical plane which the five suspects were using to fly to Mutambo village in Chief Mukwikile’s area.
“This happened on Monday around 01:00hours and in the act, Joseph Kasashi, fell off from a magic plane which they were using to fly at Mutambo in Chief Mukwikile’s area at around 01:30hours and the Same man mentioned the other people who were brought at the Police post by the DC of Shiwangandu District,” he said.
Mr. Njase said the five suspects are on police bond to will appear in court on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 and that investigations are under way.
