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A senior police officer has dismissed claims that two men accused of plotting to harm President Hakainde Hichilema through witchcraft were forced into confessing.
Testifying before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court in a trial within a trial, Detective Chief Inspector Teddy Bumelo stated that Jasten Mabulesse Candude, a Mozambican, and Leonard Phiri, a Zambian, were neither tortured nor coerced into admitting the allegations.
Bumelo told the court that the warn and caution statement was recorded at Police Force Headquarters in a well-ventilated conference room with air conditioning. He emphasized that the entire process was documented on video.
Read more: Two deny witchcraft charges in alleged plot against President Hichilema
“As I warned and cautioned the suspects, one officer recorded the session on video while another took still photos. The accused were informed of their rights, including the option to have legal representation or remain silent. They were neither promised anything nor subjected to any form of inducement,” Bumelo testified.
However, the defense team, led by lawyer Agrippa Malando, challenged the state’s handling of the case.
They questioned why the statements were taken in a conference room rather than at a police station and raised concerns about the presence of uniformed and plainclothes officers moving in and out of the room.
“Did you confirm that police headquarters has multiple conference rooms and that at 09:00 hours, there is significant movement of officers in and out?” the defense asked.
“Yes,” Bumelo responded.
The defense also pressed Bumelo on why no written record of the interviews was presented to the court apart from a notebook he admitted to having but did not submit.
“Where is the notebook?” the defense lawyer asked.
“I did not see the necessity of producing it,” Bumelo replied.
Additionally, the defense alleged that the accused were actually interrogated at night, around 01:00 hours, rather than during the day—a claim Bumelo strongly denied.
Meanwhile, the prosecution requested an adjournment after a key witness failed to appear.
Magistrate Fines Mayambu granted the request, and the trial will resume on April 3.
Candude and Phiri are facing charges of professing knowledge of witchcraft and possession of charms under Section 5 of Chapter 90 of the Laws of Zambia.
They allegedly confessed to being hired to bewitch President Hichilema for a fee of K43 million, but their lawyers insist the confessions were made under duress.
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