Four elderly people in Mungwi District of Northern Province have been murdered in separate incidents on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
Northern Province Police Commanding Officer, Lucky Munkhondya, has confirmed the matter in a statement issued to the media in Mungwi today.
Ms Munkhondya has identified the deceased as Lunshano Chisanga 84, and his wife Lucia Mulenga 82, both of Kamena area in Mungwi District.
Others are Joseph Nkole 59, of Kawanga Village, and Joseph Mwila 65, of Chibabo Village in Paramount Chief Chitimukulu’s Chiefdom.
Ms Munkhondya explained that in the first incident which occurred on October 31, 2025, the elderly couple was attacked by their last-born son, Chileshe Chisanga 35, together with two unidentified men at their farm in Kamena area.
She said the suspects dragged Mr Chisanga from his grass-thatched house and killed him before hiding his body under the bed.
Ms Munkhondya revealed that when Mrs Mulenga questioned the act, the suspects turned on her, stabbing her with a spear on the left rib and pouring an unknown substance into her eyes before fleeing the scene.
She added that Mrs Mulenga managed to narrate the ordeal to another son before she succumbed to her injuries.
In another incident which occurred on November 2, 2025, Joseph Nkole of Chiwanga Village in Sub Chief Chimba’s chiefdom was murdered by Isaac Chanda of the same village on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
It is alleged that Mr Nkole was asleep in his house around 18:00 hours when the suspect entered and struck him on the head with a machete.
As he attempted to flee, a female witness screamed, prompting the suspect to strangle her before escaping to an unknown destination.
Meanwhile, police have also retrieved the body of Joseph Mwila of Chibabo Village in Paramount Chief Chitimukulu’s Chiefdom, who was killed and partially burnt by a mob on similar allegations.
Ms Munkhondya explained that Mr Mwila and two others had been accused of causing the death of Chrispin Mwila 54, who died on October 31.
The deceased had earlier fled the area but returned during Chrispin’s burial, a move that angered mourners who attacked and killed him before setting part of his body on fire.
During the incident, Emmanuel Mwila 24, son of the deceased, was also assaulted by the mob as he tried to rescue his father.
Police have since picked up the four bodies and deposited them in Mungwi Baptist Health Centre Mortuary.
Ms Munkhondya said arrests have been made in connection with the murder of the couple and that of Joseph Nkole.
She has since warned members of the public against taking the law in their own hands.
