Zambian Man killed Over Witchcraft Allegations
Published on June 18, 2025 at 2:08 PM by Evance Kapito
A 67-year-old man has been brutally murdered in Lundazi district by unknown people on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba has confirmed that the victim, Mathews Phiri, was attacked with an axe while returning from a funeral, leaving him dead in a pool of blood with three deep cuts to his head.
The gruesome incident occurred on the evening of June 17, 2025, in Kalewa Village.
Mr. Phiri had earlier attended the funeral of his sister, Bridget Phiri, who had died under mysterious circumstances just days before.
As he walked back home, he was ambushed by unknown assailants who accused him of being a wizard responsible for recent deaths in the area.
His brother, Joseph Phiri, who had parted ways with him moments earlier, later heard cries and discovered the horrifying scene.
The victim’s daughter-in-law, Melika Mayobvu, was the first to find his lifeless body beside his crutches as a disabled man.
Police recovered an axe suspected to be the murder weapon and noted whitish substance from one of the wounds.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the killing was driven by deep-seated fears of witchcraft.
The body has been taken to Lundazi District Hospital for a postmortem and Police has launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.
