By 
A courtroom drama unfolded at the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court when a wildlife ranger revealed that a chameleon, allegedly linked to a plot to harm President Hakainde Hichilema through witchcraft, had been relocated to Munda Wanga Rehabilitation Center.
The revelation sparked murmurs among those in attendance as Bright Nkhoma, a ranger from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), testified about the fate of the reptile.
Nkhoma told the court that the prosecuting officer had asked for the chameleon to be disposed off, prompting him to draft a disposal order.
The order was signed by the court on November 28 after a clerk inspected the live chameleon—a Sub-Saharan species—in the presence of the accused.
In this case, Mozambican national, Jasten Mabulesse Candude and Zambian, Leonard Phiri, are charged under Zambia’s Witchcraft Act.
They are accused of possessing charms and professing knowledge of witchcraft, both offenses under Chapter 90 of Zambian law.
Authorities allege that the duo were found with various charms, including the live chameleon, and engaged in supernatural practices intended to instill fear and harm the President.
Further investigations suggest that the suspects were allegedly hired by Nelson Banda, the younger brother of fugitive former Petauke Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Jay Banda.
During cross-examination, Nkhoma confirmed that the chameleon had been taken to Munda Wanga but was not presented in court as evidence.
He admitted to having custody of the animal for about two to three hours before its relocation.
Defense lawyers pressed him on whether any official documentation explicitly confirmed that the accused had been in possession of the chameleon.
Nkhoma conceded that no such record existed.
A particularly intriguing moment came when the defense questioned whether a chameleon could truly be considered a charm.
In response, Nkhoma remarked, “We are Africans; we practice charms. I have experienced that because I’m from the village. It is a charm.”
However, he acknowledged that during the three hours he had custody of the chameleon, it exhibited no unusual behavior nor caused harm.
The trial continues on March 5 and 7.
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