What should have been a time of mourning for 65-year-old widower Francis Mukonde turned into an assault-fueled witch-finding episode when his deceased wife’s brother stormed the funeral house threatening a blood bath for what he termed his sister’s unnatural death.
According to a police statement, 57-year-old Kebby Sinkangila alleged that his late sister, Maureen Sikangila Mukonde, was bewitched by her own dear husband, Francis, contrary to the official report of death by natural causes after a short illness at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka.
Overcome by his protective love for his sister which transcends death, Sikangila stormed the funeral house in Libala South brandishing a 9mm pistol and threatening to shoot his brother-in-law and others present.
“He then struck the victim on the back of the head with the firearm, causing severe bleeding. He dragged the victim out of the funeral house and offered him two K100 notes, instructing him to leave the premises,” said the police.
The victim was rushed to the UTH, with his relatives fearing the tragedy of a double funeral, while the offender later voluntarily turned himself and the firearm to the police where he was charged with threatening violence and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
