A 70-year-old man from the North-Western province was slain on the grounds of witchcraft, making him another another victim of mob injustice.
Being old in the country has proven to be risky in numerous instances, as many people suspect the elderly of witchcraft, which has led to numerous fatalities. Albert Katoka is just one example.
The crowd that also destroyed Mr. Katoka’s home brutally stoned and beat him with sticks before he died.
In the wake of the incident, the Zambian police detained 10 suspects, who range in age from 16 to 50.
The victim, a headman named Kabanda, is believed to have been killed by a mob on November 17th of last year on suspicion of engaging in witchcraft, according to Zambian police deputy spokesperson Danny Mwale.
“Police investigations revealed that on November 15, 2022 a female person identified as Exhudah Kayenda aged 30 of Kabanda compound died after a short illness.It is alleged that some residents of Kabanda township suspected the former headman to be behind her death. Immediately after burial on November 17, 2022, the mob went to the house of Mr Katoka where they demolished his house stoned him while others were hitting him with sticks,” he said.
He said police were alerted and managed to rescue the victim who was pronounced dead upon reaching Mwinilunga District Hospital
“Police instituted intensive investigations which led to the arrest of some of the perpetrators.A manhunt for the other suspects has intensified,” he said.
