Police in Mushindamo District of North-Western Province recorded two cases of murder and three cases of assault in connection with attacks by a magical moving coffin.
The incident occurred in Kabunene area of Mushindamo District on January 10, 2023 between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours.
Police were alerted and quickly rushed to the scene where they found two persons lying unconscious on the ground and three others with serious injuries.
The victims were rushed to the hospital where the two were pronounced dead upon arrival while the three with injuries were admitted.
The deceased were identified as Muma Chewe aged 91of Muma village and Bestrong Mangala aged 78 of Masheke village while the injured victims were identified as Robson Chiputu aged 64 of Chiputu village, Kenneth Kipamina aged 62 of Kipamina village and Luckson Chensha aged 67 of Chikwaba village..
Police investigations revealed that on January 7, 2023, a man only identified as Mwelwa Malembe died after a short illness and on January 10, 2023, the community resorted to undertake ‘chikondo’ ( magical moving coffin) so as to establish the people believed to be behind the death of the deceased.
While the procession was being undertaken, the deceased were beaten by a moving coffin. It is also alleged that a mob participated by using kicks and sticks. The deceased sustained fatal injuries. The mob also attacked the three other victims and left them with serious wounds.
Relatives of Mwelwa Malembe together with others believed to have participated in the incident fled the village after burial on January 11, 2023. This was after they were tipped of Police presence in the area.
A manhunt for the suspects has been launched and investigations have been instituted after opening dockets of murder and Assault OABH.
Danny Mwale
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer