By KASONDE KASONDE –
TWO siblings have axed to death their 81-year-old father and critically injured their mother, aged 68, with a machete because they suspected that they were practising witchcraft.
The incident happened in Limulunga, Western Province on Wednesday evening in Winela Township.
The two siblings, Lubasi Mukena, 24, and his sister, Mubukwano Mukena, 31, a primary school teacher are being hunted by police for the attacks on Lubasi Mukeni and their mother, Sitali Nduma.
Western Province Police chief Standwell Lungu said the assailants committed the alleged crime after a witchfinder warned them that their parents intended to kill them.
Mr Lungu said the children also suspected that their parents were behind the deaths of their five other siblings.
“Police are investigating an incident that occurred on Wednesday between 18:00 and 19:00 hours in Winela in Limulunga where a man was axed to death and his wife was hit with a panga (machete) by their two children in their home,” Mr Lungu said.
He said the witchfinder, who is currently on the run, told the two that their parents were responsible for their siblings’ death and that they were next on the list, which angered them.
Mr Lungu said the two conspired to kill their parents for fear of dying and police had since recovered a blood stained  machete from Lubasi’s house.
He said their injured mother was admitted to Lewanika General Hospital where she is battling for her life after sustaining a deep cut on the head, while their father’s body is in the mortuary.
Mr Lungu said police had launched a manhunt for the witchfinder and the two siblings.