A 64-year-old man has been beaten to death by an angry mob in Kasempa District of North-Western Province after being accused of bewitching his younger brother.
The development was confirmed by North-Western Province Police Commissioner Brighton Siwale, who identified the deceased as Frank Kamalondo of Kamalondo village in Kasempa District.
“Kasempa Police Station recorded a case of murder in which a 64-year-old man of Kamalondo village was allegedly beaten to death by an angry mob after being suspected of bewitching his younger brother,” Mr Siwale said.
He explained that the mob attack followed the sudden death of the deceased’s younger brother, Dasken Kamalondo, aged 59, who collapsed while on his way to the market in Kangombe area earlier the same day.
“The deceased’s younger brother collapsed around 11:00 hours and was rushed to Mukinge Mission Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival,” he added.
Mr Siwale said a funeral was later held at Kamalondo village, where the deceased went to mourn his brother but was confronted by mourners who accused him of being responsible for the death.
“Upon his arrival at the funeral, mourners descended on him and accused him of being the cause of his brother’s death. His son managed to rescue him and took him to his farmhouse at Kamalundu,” He added.
Mr Siwale stated that the situation later escalated when an angry mob followed the deceased to his farmhouse.
“Around 20:00 hours, an angry mob followed him to the farmhouse and assaulted him using sticks, stones, bricks, and slashers, resulting in his death,” he added.
Mr Siwale further disclosed that the deceased’s 23-year-old son, Lewis Kamalondo, discovered his father’s body in the early hours of January 22, 2026.
“The body was discovered around 02:00 hours lying about 50 metres from the farmhouse, after which the matter was reported to police,” he said.
Mr Siwale said police officers rushed to the scene and observed multiple injuries on the body.
“Upon physical inspection, the left eye was found perforated, with multiple deep cuts on the neck, a suspected fractured jaw, cuts on the face, and bruises on both legs and hands,” he said.
Mr Siwale added that the body was deposited at Mukinge Mission Hospital mortuary, pending postmortem examination, and that the crime scene was thoroughly processed.
“A docket of murder has been opened, and three suspects have since been apprehended to assist with investigations,” he added.