By Staff Reporter
Some residents in Shapela Village of Kasempa district have buried alive a 62-year old man on allegations that he was responsible for the death of his grandson.
In a statement, police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga stated that the police in Kasempa was investigating a tragic incident involving the unlawful killing of a male adult believed to have been buried alive following a suspected practice of “Kikondo” (moving coffin) in Shapela Village, Nyoka Chiefdom of Kasempa District.
Hamoonga stated that the incident occurred on April 30, 2025, between 10:00 hours and 18:00 hours, and was officially reported to the police at 15:00 hours by chief Nyoka, namely Subakangu Shadrick 49, of Mwepu Village.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that on April 29, 2025 around 09:00 hours, the deceased male person, Allan Mewa, aged 22, drowned in a shallow stream known as Mushingashi while fishing. His body was retrieved by fellow fishermen and arrangements were made by family members to bury him in Nyoka area,” Hamoonga stated.
He, however, stated that during preparations for burial, a mob from the village, acting against the counsel of chief Nyoka who had advised that the death should be treated as natural, forcefully initiated the traditional practice of “Kikondo.”
According to Hamoonga, this practice was erroneously believed to reveal individuals responsible for deaths through witchcraft.
He explained that the coffin, allegedly moving on its own under spiritual influence, was led by the mob and directed to the residence of Bowas Ludiya 62, who was both the grandfather to the deceased and headman of Shapela Village.
Hamoonga stated that the mob accused him of causing his grandson’s death, citing past disputes over fish and his alleged reputation for practicing witchcraft.
“The mob physically assaulted Mr. Ludiya and forcibly took him to the graveyard where preparations to bury the young man were underway. In a horrifying act, the mob buried Mr. Ludiya alive by placing the coffin of the deceased Allan Mewa on top of him and covering the grave,” Hamoonga stated.
He stated that Kasempa police officers who responded to the report found that both bodies were still in the same grave.
“They have since directed that the grave be marked for possible exhumation. A docket for murder has been opened and investigations have been launched, though no arrests have been made yet as both families have since deserted their homes,” he stated. “It is important to note that this is the second such incident reported in Kasempa District involving the burial of an individual alive due to Kikondo practices. This deeply disturbing trend must be stopped.”
Hamoonga stated that the Zambia Police Service strongly condemned these unlawful, inhumane, and barbaric acts.
He stated that no individual had the right to take the law into their own hands regardless of cultural beliefs or suspicion of witchcraft, saying such actions constituted serious criminal offences under the laws of Zambia.
Hamoonga stated that the provincial police command was making arrangements to immediately deploy officers to camp in Nyoka Chiefdom.
He stated that the deployed officers would not only assist with ongoing investigations but would also undertake extensive community sensitisation to educate residents about the dangers and illegality of mob justice and harmful traditional practices such as Kikondo.
Hamoonga appealed to members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with the police.
He stated that anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of suspects involved in this incident was urged to report to the nearest police station
