Two men have been arrested in Zambia, accused of being “witches” who were tasked with trying to cast a spell on the president.
Police said they arrested Justin Mabulese Kandunde and Leonard Phiri in the capital Lusaka.
“Their alleged mission was to use talismans to injure” President Hakainde Hichilema, said the police statement released on Friday.
Many people in the southern African country believe in – and live in fear of – witchcraft.
Police said Mr Candunde and Mr Phiri were employed by Nelson Banda, the younger brother of MP Emmanuel “JJ” Banda.
The lawmaker was reportedly arrested last month in neighboring Zimbabwe on robbery charges, which he denies, but has not been seen in public.
He is also accused of escaping from custody in August while awaiting a court appearance.
The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) party, led by former president Edgar Lungu, had previously claimed the charges were politically motivated.
Emmanuel Banda, who has been an independent MP since 2021, was previously associated with Lungu, who lost the presidency to Hichilema that year.
In a statement, police said the deputy's younger brother, Nelson, is “currently on the run.”
Mr Kandunde and Mr Phiri are charged under Zambia's Witchcraft Act with “possession of charms”, “professing knowledge of witchcraft” and “cruelty to wild animals”.
The couple were found in possession of “various charms”, including a live chameleon, police added.
They told police they had been promised more than 2 million Zambian kwacha (£58,000; $73,000) for their “mission”, according to the police statement.
The suspects are in custody and will appear in court “soon,” police said, but did not give an exact date for the hearing. They have yet to publicly comment on the allegations.