World: Dead or Alive

Central Africa's weird little holy war went into its third terrifying week. On one side was the government of Prime Minister Kenneth Kaunda; on the other the spear-bearing, fanatic followers of Prophetess Alice Lenshina, whose hybrid cult mixes white magic with the teachings of the Church of Scotland.

Late one night, 200 of Alice's followers sacked 19 towns in an orgy of looting and slaughter. When dawn came, 75 lay dead behind them, 1,200 were homeless. Stunned by the massacre, Prime Minister Kaunda ordered a full-scale offensive against the fanatics, who were now outlawed by official decree. "I want Alice Lenshina dead...

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