Two people have been arrested in Zambia as “witches” who were tasked with trying to cast a spell on the president.
Police say they have arrested Justin Mabolisi Kandende and Leonard Phiri in the capital Lusaka.
“Their intended mission was to use charisma to cause harm,” a police statement released on Friday said.
Many people in the South African country believe in witchcraft and live in fear.
Police said Mr Candende and Mr Phiri were hired by Nelson Banda, the younger brother of MP Emmanuel “JJ” Banda.
The MP was reportedly arrested in neighboring Zimbabwe last month on robbery charges, which he denies, but has not been seen in public.
He is also accused of escaping from custody in August while he was awaiting a court appearance.
The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) party, led by former president Edgar Lungu, has previously alleged that the charges are politically motivated.
Emmanuel Banda, an independent MP from 2021, was previously linked to Lungu, who lost the presidency to Hichilema that year.
In their statement, police said the MP’s younger brother, Nelson, is “currently absconding”.
Mr Kandende and Mr Phiri have been charged under Zambia’s Witchcraft Act with “charming”, “having knowledge of witchcraft” and “cruelty to wild animals”.
Police added that the couple was found in possession of “various charms”, including a live chameleon.
According to the police statement, they told police they had been promised 2 million Zambian kwacha (£58,000; $73,000) for their “mission”.
Police said the suspects have been detained and will appear in court “soon”, but did not give an exact date for the hearing. He has not yet publicly commented on the allegations.