70-year-old woman reportedly axed to death by unknown assailants in Luapula Province

A woman believed to be in her mid-70s, identified as Lucia Mwanto, has been axed to death by four unknown men at her home in Chienge district, Luapula Province.

The attack occurred while Mwanto was asleep, according to Chiengi Town Council Public Relations Officer Wells Chifunda.

Chienge Town Council Chairperson Francis Mwanto visited the Chienge District Hospital and the mortuary where the body was deposited.

Mwanto expressed sadness over the incident and urged the police to bring the criminals to justice.

“I also want to urge the residents not to take the law into their hands but to work with the police and ensure that things are done by the law,” he advised.

Kalobwa Ward Councilor Benson Kagungwe reported receiving news of Mwanto’s death early on Monday, September 9, 2024.

“I received a phone message in the early morning of Monday around 01 to be precise on the death of the lady who had been axed to death on allegations of practicing witchcraft,” Kagungwe said.

He stated that the elderly woman was suspected of practicing witchcraft and that rumors suggested some people had hired criminals to kill her.

Kagungwe added: “The four unknown persons went into the poor old lady’s house and found her sleeping. They axed the lady right at the middle of her head and when the other three occupants of the same house woke up they were threatened and beaten by the same four unknown persons that had since fled the scene without their trace.”

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