Vice President Escapes Military Helicopter Crash

The Vice President of Zambia, Mutale Nalumango, on Thursday, escaped unhurt after a Zambian Air Force helicopter carrying her crashed shortly after take-off in Nakonde District, Muchinga Province.

According to Zambian authorities, Nalumango was travelling with seven other people when the aircraft went down.

Naija News reports that all eight occupants survived the incident without injuries.

An investigation has also been launched to determine what led to the accident, but authorities have confirmed that everyone aboard the aircraft is safe.

The vice-president had been in the northern district on official duties before the incident.

In other news, a Zambian court has sentenced Leonard Phiri and Mozambican Jasten Mabulesse Candunde to two years in prison for attempting to use witchcraft to kill President Hakainde Hichilema.

The two men were arrested in December 2025 after being found with charms, including a live chameleon, which prosecutors said were intended for a deadly ritual.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Fine Mayambu described the convicts as a danger to society.

“It is my considered view that the convicts were not only the enemy of the head of state but were also enemies of all Zambians,” he said.

The court heard that a fugitive former MP allegedly hired the men. Despite claiming to be traditional healers, they were convicted on two counts under the Witchcraft Act.

Magistrate Mayambu said the accused admitted owning the charms and even demonstrated how they intended to use them.