Zambia: four suspected ritual killers nabbed 

”Police have arrested four people including a witch doctor and his son in connection with a suspected ritual murder of 10-year old Universal Kamushi, who went missing on Friday last week.”

Published: March 30, 2023
By: Felix Nkinke – Times of Zambia

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Source: Zambia: four suspected ritual killers nabbed

There’s another reason for bringing this arrest of four suspected ritual murderers to your attention.

The saying ‘History is repeating itself’ seems to be applicable here.

Also in 2016 news media reported the arrest of four suspected ritual murderers. Below the Reuters article describing the incident. However, the full text of the saying is ‘History is repeating itself. The second time as a tragedy’.

Unfortunately, this is applicable too.
(webmaster FVDK)

Zambia police arrest four suspects for ritual murders that sparked riots

People use a pole to batter a shop doorway during clashes with police in Lusaka April 19, 2016. REUTERS/Jean Mandela

Zambia police arrest four suspects for ritual murders that sparked riots

Published: May 10, 2016
By: Reuters staff

LUSAKA (Reuters) – Zambia police said on Tuesday four suspects have been arrested in connection with a string of grisly ritual murders in the southern African nation’s capital that triggered anti-foreign riots targeting mostly Rwandan migrants in April.

The arrested suspects are two army soldiers, a civilian employee of the Zambian Air Force and a traditional doctor, police said. They were to appear in court Tuesday afternoon charged with seven counts of murder.

“All the murders which the accused have been charged with were committed in a similar manner by crushing the left side of the head, removing body parts and later dumping the deceased near their homes,” police said in a statement.

Police said in April that the victims had ears, hearts and genitals removed, raising suspicion of ritual killings.

Human body parts are sometimes used in traditional remedies and concoctions in southern Africa. The practice is linked to witchcraft beliefs.

Zambia hosts thousands of refugees from neighboring countries, especially Rwanda and Burundi, but relations between the communities are usually peaceful.

Reporting by Chris Mfula; Writing by Ed Stoddard; Editing by James Macharia