I try to do my work – presenting on this site articles and news about alleged and ‘crystal-clear’ cases of ritualistic murders as well as accusations of witchcraft – as good and objective as possible, but yesterday I was flabbergasted reading that Copperbelt Police Commissioner Charity Katanga had said that suspected ritual killers turn into cats when police visit their houses.
Of course, police people are in a way ordinary people, with all their weaknesses and subjectivity, but wouldn’t it be ‘normal’ and re-assuring if police do not believe in witches? Isn’t the belief in the power of witches and superstition something one would not expect in dealing with the police who – instead – should fight against these practices that lead to ritual killings, mob justice, the discrimination and unfair treatment of innocent children and adults, often women, and – thus – the violation of their basic human rights?
Moreover, the article reproduced below resulted in 18 comments (at the time of writing this post), two comments I want to share with you.
One reader commented, Quote: “Government should now realize that witchcraft do exit, moreover we have plenty witch-doctors in Zambia let them prove there competency by catching these guys.” Unquote. The second reacted, Quote: “Okay, now the Government has seen that people are wizards and witches in some parts of the Country called Zambia. The people who are doing these ritual killings are wizards and witches nothing else. Thanks!” Unquote
It seems to me that educators in Zambia still have a lot of work to do, fighting superstition and ignorance (webmaster FVDK).
Katanga Sheds Light on Chingola Ritual Killings Published: January 27, 2020 By: Zambia Reports – Chris Phiri
Copperbelt Police Commissioner Charity Katanga yesterday told Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo that other interests cannot be ruled out in the alleged ritual killings in Chingola where residents have been rioting in anger.
Ms Katanga said the suspected ‘ritual killers’ are turning into cats when police visit any house they are called in.
She has, however, maintained that there are no ritual killings but criminals who are just troubling people.
“The police receive calls from the public, we rush to check what is on the ground. Like we have a case, one suspect entered the ceiling board and later just saw a cat coming out and later it disappeared. Most of the cases are of gassing the people in their homes. We can’t rule out other interest groups. They have a common cause fighting for the same. If there were ritual murders, they would have finished everyone, but they are just troubling people. Just the other day, we tried to fire at the cat, but it started reducing and disappeared,” Ms Katanga explained to Mr Kampyongo.
Mr Kampyongo later said the police are on top of things and very soon, the happenings in Chingola will come to an end.
Mr Kampyongo has been on the Copperbelt with Deputy Inspector General of Police Bonny Kapeso and Chingola Member of Parliament Chali Chilombo.
Chingola remains under heavy police presence to keep vigil.
It is not quiet yet, in Chingola, Zambia. ‘The dust hasn’t settled down.’ Allegations of ritual killings, mob justice, riots, denials, warnings, calls for prayers. ‘Why pray if there are no ritual killings’, was one of the comments on the article presented below. Where smoke is, there is fire. Is this true in Chingola? Rumors flourish where ignorance prevails. We have to stay calm, well informed, and obey the authorities. That’s my advice to the people of Chingola and elsewhere who are in similar or comparable circumstances (webmaster FVDK).
Sumaili urges Zambians to pray for Copperbelt residents in light of ritual killings
Published: January 25, 2020 By: Zambia reports – Chris Phiri
National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister Reverend Godfridah Sumaili has asked Zambians to stand in prayer for the Copperbelt Province following riots sparked by the alleged ritual killings.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka on Thursday morning, Rev Sumaili said the government is concerned about the unfortunate situation, hence President Edgar Lungu’s intervention to task the Ministries of Home Affairs and Defence to investigate the matter and restore unity.
She said peace should be nurtured in the country because in its absence, there is fear which breeds hate, violence, disorder, confusion and anxiety and affects productivity.
“I am calling for effective and fervent prayers from the children of God, intercessory teams, intercessors, families and all peace loving Zambians to arise and pray. I encourage the church mother bodies to encourage their members to pray,” Reverend Sumaili said.
She further called on all Zambians to cooperate with the defence and security wings in maintaining law and order and avoid taking the law in their own hands.
Reverend Sumaili has also warned those circulating videos where people are being murdered to stop immediately as they have the potential to spread confusion and plant seeds of violence and death.
“I encourage the people of Zambia to stand together and restore calm and peace. We will hold hands in prayer as one Zambia one nation because blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,” Reverend Sumaili said.
Published: January 25, 2020 By: Zambia Reports – Chris Phiri
Copperbelt Police Commissioner Charity Katanga has warned Chingola residents against riots following a spate of the suspected ritual attacks in the mining town, saying Police are equally unhappy with what is happening.
And Katanga has clarified that residents have the right to own firearms, provided they are licensed, adding that being found with such in public places is an offence which attracts about five to seven years in prison.
Speaking when she featured on Kokoliko Radio, Katanga said the police are as offended as the residents about the attacks going on, stressing that police will be changing strategies in order to apprehend the perpetrators.
She warned those inciting people to protest that maximum force would be used on them.
“Police are not happy about what is happening as much as you also residents of Chingola are not happy about the happenings. I can assure you we are doing everything possible, you will be seeing us changing strategies just to close in on the accused persons. There can be suspects here or there but we cannot reveal for security reasons or the like but once everything done, we can come up and say okay this is what we have done. Nangu tatubekete (Even if we haven’t apprehended them) you give us time. I am warning those who like inciting, even in WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms under the guise of saying police are not protecting them, to incite people to demonstrate, to cause public disorder…We are going to ensure that we use maximum force. Nga nipa police tepakwesha kwisa (If it is at the police station, don’t even dare coming), ndemisokela chalimo (I am warning you in advance),” Katanga said. “So those who are going to say ‘we are going to protest’, even when we arrest some people, I am not going to allow the situation where people come to the police station to come and protest, you will be ruthlessly dealt with.”
Recently, on January 16 (2020), I posted an article reporting that over 50 people had been arrested in Chingola riots after police allegedly failed to arrest a suspected ritual killer.
On January 23, Acting Inspector General of Police Eugene Sibote dispelled online reports suggesting that there are rampant cases of ritual killings in Chingola and surrounding towns on the Copperbelt Province. The Deputy Inspector General of Police added that the videos or audios being circulated are intended to cause fear, alarm and despondency among the general public. According to him: “So far the Zambia Police Service has not recorded any such incidents in any part of the Republic of Zambia.” Read his full statement below, followed by two articles on the same topic. (webmaster FVDK)
Videos Of Purported Ritual Killings On The Copperbelt Is Mere Propaganda To Cause Fear – ZP.
Published: January 23, 2020 By: Zambia Reports – Chris Phiri
Acting Inspector General of Police Eugene Sibote has dispelled online reports suggesting that there are rampant cases of ritual killings in Chingola and surrounding towns on the Copperbelt Province.
Mr. Sibote says the videos and audios being circulated on Social media of purported crimes have not been committed in Zambia.
“We would like to urge the Public to ignore these calculated falsehoods being peddled on various social media platforms and advise the general public to seek clarification from the Police whenever they are faced with any matter of security concern. From our preliminary investigations and findings these video incidents being circulated do not depict incidents that have occurred and recorded in Zambia. These videos originate from other countries but merely edited to suit the evil agenda of those behind their circulation,” he explained.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police adds that the videos or audios being circulated are intended to cause fear, alarm and despondency among the general public.
“So far the Zambia Police Service has not recorded any such incidents in any part of the Republic of Zambia. Further the public may be consoled by the fact that no family has so far registered a loss of their family member as depicted in the videos being circulated. We also would like to warn all those behind such falsehoods that we shall soon catch up with them and they will be held accountable for their actions. We therefore appeal to the general public to go about their businesses with the full assurance that the Police is working round the clock to bring these alarmists to book,” he said.
Falsehoods Behind Copperbelt Riots As Police Deploys 150 Officers To Chingola
Published: January 23, 2020 By: Zambia reports – Chris Phiri
Copperbelt Province Police Commissioner, Charity Katanga has disclosed that more than 150 police officers have been deployed to keep vigil in Chingola following continued riots.
Chingola has witnessed a number of riots and looting of shops by residents in Chiwempala over alleged ritual killings in their communities. Mrs. Katanga has advised residents in Chingola to allow the police to do their work and avoid disturbing them in order to restore sanity.
And Acting Inspector General of Police Eugene Sibote has dispelled online reports suggesting that there are rampant cases of ritual killings in Chingola and surrounding towns on the Copperbelt Province.
Mr. Sibote said the videos and audios being circulated on social media of purported crimes have not been committed in Zambia. He added that the content being circulated is intended to cause fear, alarm and despondency among the general public.
“So far the Zambia Police Service has not recorded any such incidents in any part of the Republic of Zambia. Further the public may be consoled by the fact that no family has so far registered a loss of their family member as depicted in the videos being circulated,” he said.
Police arrest Chingola Bishop, accuse him of inciting riots
Published: January 23, 2020 By: Zambian Watchdog
Police in Chingola have arrested Bishop Kazhila of Life Gospel for speaking out on the ongoing serial killings and subsequent riots in Chingola. Police have also beaten up the Bishop’ son for trying to take a video.
‘My father has been picked-up and locked up by police from the live radio .. for speaking for the people of Chingola regarding the ongoing killings ! Bishop Joseph Kazhila … “Sorry my video won’t be stable”, the Bishop’ son wrote.
The PF government’s position is that there are no serial killings or riots in Chingola and that video clips on social media were recorded from other countries.
Bishop Kazhila wrote this statement which apparently angered the police leading to arresting and charging him with the offence of inciting riots. (italics added by the webmaster FVDK)
This kind of talk by the CB Police chief is counter productive, incitive, careless and has potential to fuel and cause more confusion in an already volatile and emotive society. Honestly our leaders need to be sensitive to the cries of an insecure, hurting and frightened community which is searching for protection and peace.
Yes we are aware of the satanic false accusations, lies and misinformation flying all over in our communities, especially on social media, but possibly because there is no official communication format established by authorities from which happenings are investigated, verified and reported exactly as they happened and public informed.
If macheting and killing of innocent lives and continuous gassing of people in their homes with poisonous substances isn’t for human blood sacrifices then what is it for?
By the way who is supplying these sons of the devil with such toxic substances? Is it true that our authorities don’t really know who the suppliers of such dangerous toxic fumes and motives of those spraying them on some homes?
Men and brethren if those charged with responsibilities to track and stop the source of alleged ritual killings and or attempts can’t protect us, OUR GOD is able and single handedly He will wipe them out and people of ZAMBIA and the world at large including all of you sponsors of such wickedness and your assigned operatives shall soon be ashamed and disgraced as you become nothing and as none existent things in Zambia. Isaiah 41:10-13.
CB Police chief says there has been no ritual killings in Chingola, but admits that only 2 deaths from August to date were recorded which weren’t ritual killings.
Such statements from police top command have potential to incite the hurting people for anything.
It’s so painful that those tasked to keep law and order would, for unknown reasons, abash people’s cries when people are being gassed every night and some have even run away from their homes to join others because evil minded killers have made attempts on them.
LORD JESUS ARISE AND SAVE YOUR PEOPLE for ONLY YOU CAN. LET YOUR BLOOD AND YOUR NAME SPEAK FOR US AND FOR OUR LAND. YAHWEH DEFEND US AND FIGHT THEM ALL WITH YOUR SWORD IN THE NAME OF JESUS.