Africa
Witch Hunts: Murder of Hellen, Penis Theft, and Superstition in Zambia -By Leo Igwe
“It is particularly disturbing that this appalling criminal act appears to have been perpetrated largely by young people. The Head of State has consistently emphasised that strong family values are the foundation of a vibrant and cohesive nation, and has continually urged parents and guardians to instill these principles in their children”.
The Advocacy for Alleged Witches condemns the brutal murder of a 46-year-old woman, Eneless Hellen Kamutumbe, in the Kisasa area of Kalumbila District on the Copperbelt. The tragic incident happened on Friday, March 20, 2026. According to local sources, Ms. Hellen traveled to Kisasa for business. While going about her business at a local market, a 25-year-old man, Prince Ntambo, allegedly accused her of magically stealing his private parts after physical contact. Ntambo raised an alarm, and some mob gathered and attacked Hellen with sticks, stones, planks, and other objects, resulting in multiple injuries. Some people tried to rescue her, but they also came under attack. The mob attacked the police when they arrived to rescue her. One report said that three police officers sustained injuries during the unrest, while a police vehicle had its front windscreen shattered after being stoned.
The mob left the body along the Mwinilunga–Solwezi Road. Hellen was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The government of Zambia should sanction the community leaders of Kalumbia district for failing to save Ms. Hellen. The fact that the mob overwhelmed rescuers signaled community and societal failure, and it should not happen again. The police must be commended for intervening and for their efforts to rescue Ms. Hellen. Obviously, from the report, the police intervention came too little too late. The police intervention could not save Hellen. This instance of police failure should not repeat. The police should overwhelm the mob and combat jungle justice. The mob should not overwhelm the police.
In response to this superstition-based crime, a Zambian branch of the Advocacy for Alleged Witches has been formed to help raise awareness and end superstition-based abuses. Advocates urge the enforcement of laws to punish and prevent such criminal acts, stop religious coercive control of the people and domestic violence, and the magical interpretation of experiences.
AfAW welcomes the response from the government of Zambia following this horrific incident. Some of the perpetrators have reportedly been arrested, including the young man who claimed that his penis had been stolen. The government of Zambia released a statement dissociating the country from the violence: “Nothing entitles a mob to take a life. That is not how the Republic of Zambia works, and it is not who we are as a people. Extrajudicial violence of this kind is a heinous crime, and it will be treated as one”. As in other parts of Africa, young people were mainly the perpetrators. The release stated:
“It is particularly disturbing that this appalling criminal act appears to have been perpetrated largely by young people. The Head of State has consistently emphasised that strong family values are the foundation of a vibrant and cohesive nation, and has continually urged parents and guardians to instill these principles in their children”.
AfAW joins the government in urging the inculcation of family values, including respect for life, reason, science, evidence, and critical thinking. But these values cannot be effectively promoted when the government is accusing, prosecuting, and jailing citizens for witchcraft. Parents and youths in Zambia want to see the government foster these family values. The government of Zambia must lead by example. It should stop witchcraft accusations and persecution of political opponents. The government should demonstrate seriousness and commitment to family values by freeing those innocent people, Leonard Phiri (a Zambian village chief) and Jasten Mabulesse Candunde (a Mozambican national), arrested and jailed for witchcraft after a sham trial in 2025. There is no evidence that people can kill or harm others through magical means, as in the case of Leonard Phiri and Jasten Candunde. There is no evidence that people can steal or disappear other persons’ private parts through magical means. Such claims are based on fear and ignorance.
Justice for Leonard Phiri and Jasten Mabulesse Candunde. Justice for Eneless Hellen Kamutumbe.
Zambia shall be free from witch hunts, ritual attacks, and superstition-based abuses.
Leo Igwe directs Advocacy for Alleged Witches, which works to end witch hunts in Africa.
