Chief Arrested for Collecting Funds for Illegal Witch Hunt

Police in Jenda, Mzimba District, have arrested Group Village Headman Nkholowondo, whose real name is Kennedy Phiri, 42, for allegedly hiring a witch doctor to “cleanse” his village under Traditional Authority Mzikubola.

Sub-Inspector Gladwell Simwaka, Public Relations Officer for Jenda Police Station, told VoL that the arrest was made on April 18, 2026. This followed reports that on April 4, 2026, the suspect invited a witch doctor, identified only as Visuzgo from Rumphi, to carry out the exercise.

Simwaka said the group village headman decided to call the witch doctor after a woman identified as Nyavula died suddenly in 2022. In a separate incident, a 17-year-old boy went missing but was found the following day in good health within the same village. These fueled suspicions of witchcraft among residents.

He added that the suspect collected K8,000 from each household across his seven villages to facilitate the witch finder’s visit.

Simwaka further said that despite advice from the Sub-Traditional Authority not to proceed, on the basis that the act is against the law, the suspect went ahead and sent K250,000 from the collected funds to the witch doctor.

Upon arrival, the witch doctor allegedly harassed villagers and demanded money and cattle from individuals accused of practicing witchcraft.

Police at Jenda arrested the suspect after the matter came to light. Meanwhile, the witch doctor fled before officers arrived, and police have since launched a manhunt for him.