STOP MOB BRUTALITY
Mob brutality shames us all, it must never happen again
THE brutal killing of 46-year-old Eneless Kamutumbe at Kisasa market in Kalumbila District is a tragedy that should shake the conscience of every citizen in Zambia.
Her death was not only senseless but also disturbing because it was carried out in the name of superstition and instant justice ,  two evils that have no place in a modern and law-abiding society.
According to police, Kamutumbe was accused by a young man of allegedly making his genitals disappear through witchcraft. Such an allegation by its very nature, is one that cannot be proved in any competent court of law. Instead of reporting the matter to authorities, an angry mob chose to take matters into its own hands.
The result was a brutal killing that has robbed a family of a mother, a community of a citizen and the nation of its dignity.
In a country that proudly calls itself a Christian nation, such myths and witchcraft accusations should not be entertained in the first place. Faith must never be used to justify violence, and superstition must never be allowed to override reason and the rule of law.
When mobs are allowed to decide who lives and who dies based on rumours and fear, society begins to slide into lawlessness. That is not the Zambia we claim to stand for.
The outrage that has followed Kamutumbe’s death is therefore both understandable and necessary. It is particularly notable that Fashion Sakala, a key striker for the Chipolopolo broke his usual silence on social matters to strongly condemn the killing as senseless.
When a national sports figure feels compelled to speak out, it shows just how deeply the incident has touched the nation. Sakala’s voice reflects the anger and disappointment felt by many ordinary Zambians who cannot understand how such brutality could happen in broad daylight.
While the killing itself is heartbreaking, there is at least some comfort in the swift action taken by the police. The arrest of 17 suspects, including the alleged ringleader, sends a clear and important message that mob justice will not be tolerated.
Police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi has confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that more arrests are expected. This firm response must be commended because justice cannot be selective. Anyone who participated in the attack must face the full weight of the law.
Equally important is the warning issued by police against the circulation of graphic videos of the incident. Such images only worsen the pain of the bereaved family and spread fear among the public. A civilised society must respect the dignity of the dead, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their death. Sharing such content is not only insensitive but morally wrong.
The tragedy in Kisasa Market also exposes a deeper problem that cannot be ignored, which is the continued belief in harmful myths that lead to violence, especially against vulnerable people.
Too often, women and the elderly become easy targets whenever accusations of witchcraft arise. This must end. Community leaders, churches, schools and government institutions must work together to educate citizens and promote respect for human life.
Zambians must also remember that the rule of law exists to protect everyone. If a person believes a crime has been committed, the correct action is to report the matter to the police and not to gather a mob. Once mob justice becomes normalised, no one is safe. Today it was Kamutumbe. Tomorrow it could be anyone.
The killing of Kamutumbe is therefore more than just another crime story. It is a painful reminder that we still have a long way to go in building a society that values justice, compassion and human dignity. Let this tragedy serve as a turning point. Let the courts deal firmly with those responsible, and let the nation speak with one voice that mob justice has no place in Zambia.
Justice for Kamutumbe must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. Only then can the nation begin to heal.
