News

South Africa: Elderly fear witchcraft accusations

Michael Mzolo, 73, said more needed to be done to protect the rights of the elderly. He said old people were commonly accused of witchcraft and were attacked or even killed. “If you don’t look good in your face, people think you are a witch,” he said.

Mzolo said many people were ignorant about dementia and, rather than associating it with memory loss in old age, mistook it for witchcraft. “If they (grannies) have lost their memories, they would walk outdoors naked and people, especially young people, attack them because they think they are witches,” said Mzolo.

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Uganda: Ugandan Chuch Cures Victims of Witchcraft

The Joint Effort Christian Mission Church in Uganda’s capital Kampala is visited by victims of witchcraft. Pastor Wilderforce Samanya calims he has the ability to cure victims of black magic. 

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Zimbabwe: Zimbabwean Witch Caught After Running Out Of “witchcraft powers” and found herself at a stranger’s house

A 52-year-old woman Ellen Khayiya Mpofu, a suspected Zimbabwean witch from Pelandaba in Bulawayo caused a stir in Mpopoma suburb after she ran out of her “witchcraft powers” and found herself at a stranger’s house.

“The woman had two twisted fingers on her right hand. She told us it was caused by opening people’s doors during her night escapades. She bragged that she never worries about relish as she feeds on people’s blood and flesh.

“The plastic bag contained blood-stained pants, a bra, a petticoat, a T-shirt, a jersey, some jewellery and pieces of cloth. She was also carrying all sorts of strange things.” 

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Uganda: Human Sacrifice in Ibanda – A Six Month Old Baby Loses Private Parts

Police in Ibanda district are investigating circumstances under which a 6 month old baby was found in a pool of blood after unidentified person chopped off his male organs in Kareere cell, Nsasi sub-county in Ibanda district.

After the incident the minor was rushed to Ruhoko health centre IV for treatment and the doctor referred the parents to Mulago Hospital.

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Kenya: Kaya Elders Hold Talks On Unity and ‘Witch’ Killings

Kaya elders held a two-day retreat at the weekend to discuss unity at the Coast, land issues. They also met to seek a permanent resolution to the rampant killing of elders suspected to be practicing witchcraft.

Top in the agenda was how they could end the brutal killings of suspected witches that has led to the death of more than 200 people. They asked the government to revive the tradition of resolving cases of witchcraft, which were initially being handled by special elders in an oath taking ceremony.

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Nigerian witch-finder Helen Ukpabio to sue WHRIN for £500 million

Nigerian preacher and founder of the Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries, Helen Ukpabio, has sued two UK human rights groups for £500 million( N130 billion). Ms. Ukpabio is accusing British Humanist Association, BHA, and the Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network, WHRIN, of libel. See more here

Ghana: Dansoman police detain security man over ritual murder of 8-year-old-boy

The Dansoman Police in Accra have detained one out of three security men arrested yesterday in connection with the alleged ritual killing of an-eight-year old boy in the vicinity.

Speaking to Joy News’ Michaella Anderson, the Dansoman Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Antwi Tabi said the security man is under detention because he has information which is crucial for the police to investigate the issue.

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Uganda: ‘Return of ebyaffe doesn’t mean to revert to witchcraft’

The Vicar General of Kampala Archdiocese has told Christians that the return of Buganda properties does not mean people who should turn back to witchcraft. Msgr Charles Kasibante made the remarks during a sensitization briefing for hundreds of Christians in the on-going campaign to popularize the 22 Uganda martyrs ahead of Golden Jubilee celebrations since their canonization. 

He said the cultural properties should only help people know their culture and traditions. Mid-this month, the central government returned some of Buganda Kingdom’s property including 213 land titles.

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Ghana: Banishing ‘Witches’ in Northern Ghana

‘The woman has been banished’, Hamid, my research assistant called to inform me a few days ago. ‘Which woman?’ I asked. ‘The woman I told you about yesterday’, he said in a tone that sounded prophetic. Hamid is a teacher in a local school in Yendi, the traditional capital of the Dagbon state, as the Dagomba is politically described.

He confirms that the belief in witches is very strong among the people of Dagbon despite the widespread profession and practice of Islam.

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South Africa: Ritual murder suspects arrested

Limpopo police have arrested two suspects allegedly involved in the ritual killing of a 33-year-old, in Thohoyandou.

Mercy Ndou from Hamakuya, just outside Thohoyandou, went missing on May 15, 2014, after a shopping trip. According to SAPS provincial spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, her right leg and private parts were missing.

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