Police arrest four, deny rumours of ritual activity as constitutional court judgement draws near

Police in Lusaka have arrested four individuals and charged them with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace after they were found washing plastic containers near the High Court grounds, dispelling earlier claims of ritual activity.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, clarified that the suspects were not bathing within the High Court premises, as alleged on social media.

Instead, they were reportedly cleaning containers for resale, a common practice among street vendors.

“Today, December 8, 2024, during routine patrols, police received reports of individuals allegedly bathing within the High Court premises for suspected ritual purposes,” Hamoonga said.

Acting on the report, officers rushed to the scene and apprehended four suspects: Boyd Ngosa, 28, James Banda, 39, Dismas Sakala, 36, and Francis Kasote, 33.

The individuals were found near the High Court grounds, specifically at a location close to the roundabout between three islands, where a broken drainage system collects water.

“Further inquiries indicate that this location is frequently used by mobile shoe vendors and street workers to clean their merchandise or containers for their trade,” Hamoonga explained.

The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.

Hamoonga urged the public to exercise caution in spreading unverified information, following widespread social media reports that the suspects had been found performing rituals with charms within the High Court premises.

“Members of the public should report suspicious activities to the police immediately for appropriate action,” Hamoonga said.

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