A Zambian court has sentenced two men under the country’s Witchcraft Act after they attempted to use charms, including a live chameleon, in a plot against President Hakainde Hichilema.
The case, which prosecutors described as the first of its kind, was heard in Lusaka after the two men were arrested earlier this year. Authorities said the men believed the charms would shield them from detection and bring them power to harm the head of state.
Investigators recovered a chameleon, ritual powders, and traditional charms during the arrest. The court was told that the pair had been consulting a witchdoctor before their capture.
Both men pleaded not guilty, arguing that their actions were rooted in cultural practice. The judge dismissed the defense, ruling that their intent showed a direct threat to national security.
They were each handed custodial sentences under the Witchcraft Act, a colonial-era law that remains in force. Legal experts say the trial highlights the tension between traditional beliefs and modern governance in Zambia, where witchcraft-related cases are rarely prosecuted at this level.
The government has not disclosed the length of the prison terms, citing security concerns.
The conviction marks the first time Zambia has used the Witchcraft Act in relation to an alleged plot against a sitting president.
This case adds to the debate over the relevance of the law, with rights groups arguing it risks criminalizing cultural practices while supporters say it provides a necessary tool against threats disguised as ritual acts.
