Mob steals goods, torch shop over witchcraft suspicions

MELODY MUPETA,
CATHERINE BWALYA
Kitwe, Choma
A MOB in Chilubi, Northern Province, has allegedly stolen goods worth K700,000 belonging to a businessman they accuse of practising witchcraft and later torched his shop.
This was after the businessman, identified as John Mondoka, sued Nelson Kasanda, Moses Mwape and Bwalya Mateshi for accusing him of practising witchcraft.
The court convicted the three suspects and fined them K300 each, which angered the mob, which later broke into the shop.
Northern Province police commanding officer Lucky Buumba said the initial incident of accusing Mr Mondoka of practising witchcraft happened in April when he was accused of practising witchcraft after Lydia Katebe, 34, died following a crocodile attack.
She said Ms Katebe’s family opted to engage a witch-finder after her death and accused Mr Mondoka of having turned into a crocodile to kill her.
“The accusations prompted the victim to sue the three suspects, who were convicted and fined for the offence,” Ms Buumba said.
She said the court delivered judgment in the matter on Friday, which angered relatives of the culprits, who later rioted…https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home