Malawi: Witchcraft fracas lands 16 in court

  1. Posted on Sunday 26 September 2010 - 07:13
    Mtheto Lungu
    Image of Mtheto Lungu
    Mtheto Lungu, AfricaNews reporter in Lilongwe, Malawi
    Sixteen parents will answer charges of malicious damage after razing down houses belonging to three alleged witchcraft teachers, AfricaNews has learnt.
    Malawi Fuel Shortage Photo: Chancy Namadzunda
    The suspects come from Malawi's largest district in the north. They were enraged when their children confessed they took lessons from three elderly women aged between 46 and 53 in Embangweni from Amon Phiri's village in Traditional Authority Mzukuzuku's area.

    "The children revealed to their parents the three taught them witchcraft and they were tired of the practice. They said they also took 'flying' lessons to steer the 'aircraft," confirmed Police spokesman at Mzimba, George Kondowe.

    Property worth MK141, 000 was destroyed by the parents who ganged up against the accused women after reporting the matter to T/A Mzukuzuku who questioned and warned the women from the practice.

    "That night they destroyed the property and we had to move in. We advise people not to take the law into their own hands," said Kondowe.

    Malawi does not recognize witchcraft as an offence and practitioners go scot free leading to angry reactions from their 'victims'.

    The Witchcraft Act only says it is an offence to accuse another of practicing witchcraft and one may also be arrested at confessing witchcraft practice.

    Many women across the country complain they are taught witchcraft by old people in their villages, leading to poor class attendance, witchcraft wars, mysterious deaths and several nocturnal accidents.

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