LENSHINA PLYING; POLICEMAN WATCHES; LENSHINA COLLECTS FOOD; GUARD PATROLS BARBED WIRE; LENSHINA COOKING; LENSHINA SWEEPS FLOOR.




Initials JP/LIB-FILM/PC


LIBRARY FILM
REISSUE

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: ALICE LENSHINA, SELF-STYLED PROPHETESS AND LEADER OF THE FANATICAL LUMPA CHURCH, IS REPORTED TO HAVE ESCAPED FROM A RESTRICTION CAMP AT KALABO IN ZAMBIA'S REMOTE BAROTSE PROVINCE. PRESIDENT KAUNDA HAS CALLED A SPECIAL CABINET MEETING TO DISCUSS THE MATTER.

THE LUMPAS ROSE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT IN 1964 AND MORE THAN 700 OF THEM WERE KILLED IN BLOODY CLASHES WITH TROOPS AND POLICE. IN THE PAST, THEY HAVE FACED GOVERNMENT MACHINE GUNS WITH SPEARS AND BOWS AND ARROWS IN THE FAITH THAT DEATH AGAINST ENEMIES OF THEIR RELIGION WILL EARN THEM INSTANT ENTRY TO PARADISE.

ALICE LENSHINA CLAIMS TO HAVE RISEN FROM THE DEAD WITH A DIVINE MISSION TO ROOT OUT WITCHCRAFT. AFTER SHE SURROUNDED TO THE GOVERNMENT SHE WAS PUT UNDER DETENTION AND MOVED TO KALABO CAMP IN AUGUST, 1964. TODAY'S REPORTS SAY THAT LENSHINA VANISHED FROM THE CAMP FOUR DAYS AGO. HER HUSBAND, TWO CHILDREN AND SEVERAL LUMPA CHURCH DEACONS VANISHED WITH HER.

THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT IS WORRIED ABOUT THE LUMPAS, 10,000 OF WHOM ARE CAMPED ACROSS THE CONGO-ZAMBIA BORDER. LAST MONTH, THE GOVERNMENT RENEWED ITS EMERGENCY POWERS, GIVING THE LUMPA SITUATION AS ONE OF THE REASON.