Luwingu Mob to Appear in High Court Following Vigilante Murder

Five people from Luwingu district in Northern Province are set to appear before a high court after allegedly killing a man suspected of carrying out gas attacks. 

The accused: Maxwell Mwape (52), Gertrude Kumwenda (56), William Chanda (37), Memory Mulenga (25) and Stevenia Chate (34), appeared before Luwingu magistrate Kenny Nkundwe last Friday before being referred to a high court for trial proceedings. 

The attack - an apparent act of ‘mob justice’ - resulted in the death of Aaron Mutale in Cope village in the Chief Chipalo area of Luwingu. Mr Mutale is said to have been dragged from his mother’s house and burned to death at Chola Mutanto market, in full view of his mother. 

It is believed more may have taken part in the attack, which took place on 20th February. The attackers are believed to have been acting on the suspicion that Mr Mutale had carried out a recent gas attack.

The country suffered a series of apparently random gas attacks early in the year, prompting several instances of mob violence carried out against suspected perpetrators. In February, President Lungu deployed troops on the streets to help quell the violence.

The motive behind the attacks is still unknown, with some suspecting they form part of an occult ritual. Vice President Inonge Wina called them an orchestrated plan to destabilise the country ahead of elections in 2021.