Bethel church set on fire in Zambia

A Bethel Church building has been set on fire in Lusaka’s Chipata Overspill compound.

The incident happened last night around 23.20 hours, when an instant justice mob besieged the building, on suspicion that there was a mermaid inside.

Eight people have since been arrested in connection with the incident, in which the church building has its doors and windows shattered and other property stolen.

Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo has confirmed the incident and the arrests in a statement availed to ZNBC News today.

The incident was sparked by a hired witch finder who suggested that there was a mermaid inside the church.

Ms. Katongo has explained that witch finder had been hired by the mother-in-law to the respective church elder’s son, who has been sick for some time.

She has added that when the witch finder was denied permission to perform his rituals inside the church, he incited a mob, which started throwing stones and eventually set fire to the building.

Ms. Katongo has further said the mob also razed down the fence to the church, however police, who rushed to the scene, managed to contain the situation.