Police rescue witchcraft suspects
Written by Millennium on July 26, 2019
NOEL IYOMBWA writes
QUICK action by Police on Wednesday rescued a family of Kalingalinga from being lynched by an angry mob that wanted to set their house on fire on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
Police spokesperson Ester Mwata Katongo confirmed the incident in a statement yesterday.
Ms Katongo said two people from the neighborhood only identified as Amai Nori and a Mr Sakala went to the victim’s house , Senia Phiri Miti, 56 at about 15 00 hours with a witchdoctor on pretext that they wanted to conduct prayers with her because of complaints of witchcraft in the community.
She said that the victim did not hesitate to allow the trio to enter her house and immediately after that, the house was surrounded by an angry mob.
Ms Katongo explained that on receiving a report Police rushed to the area and managed to rescue the victims after discharging some teargas canisters to disperse the angry mob.
“Police in Lusaka received a report through a phone call that a family of Kalingalinga has been surrounded by an angry mob on suspicion of practicing witchcraft,
“Police rushed to the area and managed to rescue the victims after discharging some teargas canisters to disperse the crowd,” she said
She further said that officers who rushed to the scene found that the angry mob had already set on fire a makeshift toilet at the victim’s house and had broken two windows to the house and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
“The situation has returned to normal and police are now looking for Amai Nori and a Mr Sakala together with the Witchdoctor who are currently on the run,” Ms Katongo said.
She appealed to members of the public to avoid disseminating unverified information but should always analyze and verify information before taking action.
Ms Katongo said Zambia had got laws that govern the conduct of people together with institutions mandated to handle concerns from the general public.
“Our appeal is for everyone to avoid taking law into their own hands but follow laid down procedures in airing their grievances,” she said.
