Two men suspected of attempting to perform witchcraft to harm Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema appeared in court on Tuesday.
Leonard Phiri, 43, from Zambia, and Jasten Mabulesse Candunde, 42, from Mozambique, were arrested in December after being found with various spells, including a live chameleon. They are accused of practicing witchcraft.
Investigations revealed that the pair were recruited by Nelson Banda, the brother of former MP Emmanuel Banda, to use spells to harm the president.
During their trial in Lusaka, four state witnesses testified that the men were found at a rented residence with spells. Immigration officer George Mwale told the court that Candunde admitted to being recruited by Banda to harm the president using witchcraft.
The items seized included 14 bottles containing traditional medicines, an unidentified animal tail and powdered substances that Phiri admitted were his.
Both men denied practicing witchcraft, but admitted to possessing spells and claimed to have documents that allowed them to do so.
The defendants face charges of witchcraft, possession of spells and cruelty to animals in the case, which resumed on February 26. At the time of their arrest, the suspects claimed they were promised 2 million Zambian kwacha (about $7,000) for their mission, but the court said the agreed payment was actually 43 million kwacha.