ザンビア：魔術使用の疑いで2名が逮捕

　大統領に危害を加えようと魔術を仕掛けたとのことで、男二人を逮捕。

「Two men have been arrested in Zambia accused of being "witchdoctors" who had been tasked with trying to bewitch the president.」

BBC Suspected 'witchdoctors' arrested over attempt to 'bewitch' Zambia's president 16 hours ago

Wedaeli Chibelushi

　南部アフリカではひろく魔術が信じられている、と。

「"Their purported mission was to use charms to harm" President Hakainde Hichilema, said the police statement, released on Friday.

Many people in the southern African country believe in - and live in fear of - witchcraft.」

　なにやら問題となった魔術師は国会議員の弟さんだそうで。それほど社会に根付いた存在なのだなあと思わされる。

「The police said Mr Candunde and Mr Phiri were hired by Nelson Banda, the younger brother of MP Emmanuel "Jay Jay" Banda.

The MP was reportedly arrested last month in neighbouring Zimbabwe over robbery charges, which he denies, but he has not been seen in public.」

　興味深いことに、対魔術犯罪の法律がしっかりあり、そこでは（そうした危害を発生させようという）護符の所持を禁じているとのこと。生きたカメレオンを仕込んだチャームが発見された―らしく、身に着ける護符どころじゃない、我々の認識では儀式魔法、祭壇のごとき水準に至るものだろう。

「Mr Candunde and Mr Phiri have been charged under Zambia's Witchcraft Act with "possession of charms", "professing knowledge of witchcraft" and "cruelty to wild animals".

The pair were found in possession of "assorted charms", including a live chameleon, the police added.」

「They told the police they had been promised more than 2m Zambian kwacha (£58,000; $73,000) for their "mission", according to the police statement.」

　報酬は7万3千ドル相当。2m Zambian kwachaとあるので、我々の感覚的には「1本」～「2本」といった感じか。100～200万円。…貨幣価値の差を考えればその10倍くらいの感じ？　…かなりの大犯罪らしいのである。