By SYLVIA MWEETWA –

• SOME coffins that were found at the gate to Mr Chato’s residence in Kabwe yesterday. (Right) Zambia Police and Zambia Prisons Service officers watch, in amazement, an unknown object which was also found in Mr Chato’s yard.

Zambia Prisons Service Commissioner General Percy Chato’s family and residents of Luangwa Township in Kabwe yesterday woke up to a rude shock when they found three small coffins, one with a live chameleon inside, at the gate to the commissioner’s residence.
Mr Chato’s older sister, Catherine said the family was traumatised by what was found outside the gate, but that their faith in God remained unshaken.
Ms Chato said she was awakened by a prison officer who had just reported for work around 05:00 hours yesterday to go and check what had been placed outside the gate.
She, with other family members, found the baby-size coffins wrapped in white clothing that had blood stains.
“We are still shocked with what we saw and we are wondering the motive behind this, but we leave everything in the hands of God and we will remain prayerful,” she said.
She said the previous night, around 23:00 hours, her younger brother, Peter had asked everyone to pray because he felt that they were under attack from evil forces and so they prayed until after 01:00 hours.
Cathedral of Sacred Heart priest Felix Kangwa, who was found at the scene, said although the incident could be attributed to witchcraft in the African setting, he had decided to pray for the coffins before people could see what was inside.
Father Kangwa said he had also sprinkled the area with holy water and salt, adding that God was above all situations.
He appealed to the Chato family to remain prayerful and to continue trusting in God.
The three coffins were later set ablaze amid jubilation from onlookers.
Those talked to said the people who had placed the coffins at the gate could possibly be bitter against the Chato family or were after Mr Chato’s job.
Mr Chato, when contacted for a comment, said he was out of town, but expressed shock at what was found outside his home.
Central Province deputy commissioner of Police, Yobe Phiri confirmed receiving a report, and said Police would make a follow-up.
Recently, another small coffin with a list of names was found at Chowa Police Camp and later a python was found outside a Police officer’s gate.
In another development, Police have picked up a half-naked body of a woman believed to be in her twenties, who was murdered by unknown people.
The body was found in the morning yesterday on a roadside near Mukobeko Maximum Prison, with the forehead perforated.
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that there was no sign that the unidentified woman was raped.
The whole body was bruised due to the beating she suffered.
Police, who have since launched investigations into the matter, found tyre marks of a motor vehicle where the body was found.