LUSANGAZI MAN TORCHES MOTHER’S HOUSE OVER WITCHCRAFT CLAIMS
A 40‑year‑old man of Lusangazi District, Eastern Province has allegedly set ablaze his mother’s house and a kitchen belonging to her friend, accusing them of witchcraft.
The suspect, identified as Lavai Zulu of Chitenshi Village, Chief Nyamphande, is reported to have torched the grass‑thatched house of his mother, Mary Phiri, aged 66, and the kitchen of Ronica Njobvu, aged 60, around 04:00 hours today.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba said the suspect had consulted a witchdoctor over the illness of his child, aged one year three months, and was told family members were responsible.
Mr. Mweemba said Zulu first forced his way into his mother’s house, threatened to kill her, but she managed to escape before he set the house on fire. He later stormed the second victim’s home, insulting her before she also fled, after which he set her kitchen ablaze.
The suspect fled the scene and is still on the run. Police have launched a manhunt, while the value of the gutted property is yet to be established.
ZNBC