By White Luhanga
A 43-year-old woman in Lumezi District of Eastern Province has been hospitalized at Lumezi Mission Hospital after consuming hèrbal mèdícine given by a tradítional dòctor.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred on 20 September 2025, around 11:00 hours in Kajipaike, Chief Zumwanda.
Brief facts of the matter are that on 17 September 2025, around 07:00 hours, Leonard Nyirenda, 48, husband of the victim, noticed that the house of his second wife, Ireen Nyirenda, who is away due to marital disputes, had been broken into by unknown persons.
Mr. Mweemba says this prompted him to check inside the house, where he discovered that five bags of maize had been stolen.
Upon discovering this, he called his sister Catherine Nyirenda, 46, his brother Kamangeni Nyirenda, and his first wife Carolina Nyirenda to witness what had happened.
He further asked if anyone had taken the bags from the house, and no one answered.
Mr. Mweemba says Mr Nyirenda then decided to engage a traditional doctor to help him find the suspect who stole the bags of maize.
He says on 20 September 2025, around 06:00 hours, Leonard Nyirenda, accompanied by his sister and his wife, went to Kajipaike area, to see the traditional doctor.
Upon reaching the house, the traditional doctor, Jairos Jere, gave Leonard Nyirenda, Catherine Nyirenda, and Carolina Nyirenda unknown hèrbal mèdícine to drink.
He says after they drànk it, he told them to enter his house so they could see the person who stole the bags of maize.
The traditional doctor further told them he would summon the person who stole to appear on his Traditional Television, but in the process of doing so, the wife fell down and became unconscious.
Mr. Mweemba says Leonard Nyirenda, Catherine Nyirenda, and the traditional doctor got a vehicle and rushed Carolina Nyirenda to Lumezi Mission Hospital.
He says police visited the victim at the hospital and found her admitted and receiving treatment.
Mr. Mweemba says the victim is said to be in a stable condition and that the traditional doctor has been apprehended.
NB: Picture for illustration ©️ Zambia Reports | September 23rd, 2025.