Man arrested for hacking to death two people suspected of practicing witchcraft

Police in Neno have arrested a man suspected of hacking to death two elderly people at Nseula Village, Traditional Authority Dambe, on allegation that they were behind the death of a 7 year old man.

Southern Region Assistant Public Relations Officer Ramsey Mushani confirmed of the arrest in an interview with the press and identified the suspect as Paul Kamwetsa, 32.

According to Mushani, the suspect was arrested on the night of 4 – 5 November, 2019 at Zalewa in an intensive operation conducted jointly with Southern Region Police detectives ( Homicide team), Zalewa Police Unit and Neno Police Station.

“During preliminary interrogation the suspect confessed to have heartlessly killed his two uncles, Chalaka Akunkeyani, 60 and Deke Kamenya, 51 of Nseula village, Traditional Authority Dambe Neno on allegation that the two bewitched his younger brother Chipiliro Thom, 7 years old of same details who was bitten by a viper snake on 30 October, 2019 on his way from the market and later died at Nsambe Health Center.

“The suspect who has been in hiding since the day of the incident was found in the same clothes he wore during the commission of crime heavily soiled with blood,” reads in part the police report.

Meanwhile investigations are underway to trace the panga knives and arrest other would be suspects in the case.