News

Kenya: Going back to the future

In Uturine Village  a string of strange deaths have occurred in the past couple of weeks. Some time ago, I told you that the residents of that blighted area have engaged reverse gear in their beliefs, and are ‘going back to the future’, as someone once colourfully put it. From the chief to the sergeant in charge of the local police station, everyone firmly believes that the most effective way to combat a rising tide of crime is to invoke witchcraft.

Thus, the most valued person these days is not the pastor or priest, nor is it the local administrator or police officer. It is the witchdoctor. 

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Zambia: Sisters in dock for calling Granny ‘Witch’

Three sisters have appeared in court for causing alarm to members of the public after calling their grandmother a witch.

The trio appeared before Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate Paul Chisha for conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.

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India: 13 held in Assam witch-hunting case

At least 13 people were arrested Saturday for their alleged involvement in the murder of three members of a family in Assam on suspicion of practicing witchcraft, police said.

The victims were identified as Rajendra Brahma (65), his wife Bangali Brahma (60) and their 35-year-old daughter Malati Brahma, police said.

“Some villagers suspected the family of practicing witchcraft and killed them on the night of March 19,” said Inspector General of Police.

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Kenya: Elderly man murdered, body parts chopped off on witchcraft suspicion

An elderly man was killed and his private parts chopped off at Ziwa La Furunzi area within Malindi district in Kilifi County on Thursday.

The elderly man is said to have been killed by unknown people on suspicion that he had bewitched his own son who has since died. His head and private parts were severed and deposited beside his body. According to a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of arrest, the man was killed following the mysterious demise of one of his sons.

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Philippines: Alleged witch shot to death in Ilocos Norte

The family of a 62-year-old woman who was shot to death at her home in Barangay Maananteng, Solsona, Ilocos Norte still cannot understand why the lady was killed. The family of Juliana Ancheta said their matriarch does not have any known enemies.

A rumor have been circulating however that she is a witch (“mangkukulam”). Ancheta’s daughter, Leilanie, could not help but react to such a rumor. She called on those who have been spreading the rumor to respect her family.

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Kenya: School Closed After Nights of ‘Torture’

Lutsangani Secondary School in Kilifi south subcounty was closed on Tuesday after students complained of torture through witchcraft when they go to bed. The BOG arrived at the decision after the students threatened to go home on Monday night.

Zimbabwe: A mum’s heart-warming story about disabled son

Little Thierry Muchapirei enjoys football and plays in a local park with his friends just like any other 10-year-old. And mum Cynthia Mukubvu says he’s transformed her life for the better.

But she revealed at first she struggled to cope when told he had Down’s syndrome. Cynthia, 33, who lives in Hamilton with partner George Muchapirei, 35, three-year-old daughter Taya and Thierry, grew up in Zimbabwe where the condition was often associated with witchcraft and misfortune.

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Nigeria: Rights Groups Want UN to Intervene in African Witchcraft Activities

International human rights groups, 21st Century Witchcraft Accusations and Persecution and Human Rights Information Network (WHRIN) are putting pressure on the United Nation to stop the alleged de-humanisation of persons suspected to be witches and wizards in Nigeria and Africa.

The groups said unless the UN take urgent steps to check the abuses of those suspected to have magical powers to kill easily, the mob action on them would continue as members of the public are ready to lynch them at the slightest suspicion.

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India: Branded witches, tribal family flees home

A tribal family has been living in fear away from home after the members were branded witches by a kangaroo court.

Though the Malda administration knows about their plight, no move has yet been taken to help them return to their house in Raylapara village under Malda police station.

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Nepal: Woman thrashed for ‘practising witchcraft’

Laxmidevi Dhami of Haripur  has allegedly been assaulted “for practising witchcraft and killing her sister-in-law Mantoriyadevi”.

According to Laxmidevi, local people led by her brothers-in-law brought the body of Mantoriyadevi at her house on Sunday night and assaulted her asking her to bring Mantoriyadevi back to life by undoing the spell.

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