Arsonists burn 28 houses over witchcraft claims in Karonga

Tension has gripped a village of Group Headman Chawuteka in the area of Senior Traditional Authority Wasambo in Karonga after over 28 houses have been set ablaze by neighbouring community over witchcraft claims.

House razed downover witchcrat claims in Ntcheu. Photo credit- Times.mw
House razed downover witchcrat claims in Ntcheu. Photo credit- Times.mw

According to the Senior Chief Wasambo, the development have occurred during the night of Wednesday as the angry community of Group Village Headman Tondoli suspect their neighbouring village to be stealing farming produce magically.

Wasambo further said the two villages tend to quarrel every year on many issues happing in the community.

“It is true that our friends from Group village Headman Chawuteka have been left homeless as their neighbouring village set mostly grass thatched houses on fire their houses due to some disagreement,” said Wasambo.

The fire razed down all the property possessed by the 28 household, with the arsonists vanishing in the dark.

Police Officer In charge of Chilumba Station Billy Chimbonga said they are investigating the matter.

“We have managed to arrest five people in connection to the issue,” said police officer in charge.

He refused to disclose their names and warned the locals from taking law in their own hands advising them to forward the suspects to the police stations and relevant authorities.

Police officer said further said “after the investigation the arrested people will appear before court to answer charges of arson and malicious damage.”

According to Wasambo the affected families are now hiding in the church which has been identified as an evacuation centre.

Belief in witchcraft runs deep in Malawi

In a related development, Police in Ntcheu arrested three men for allegedly murdering a man suspected to have killed their relative through magic.

According to Ntcheu Police publicist, Hastings Chigalu, the three suspects, who are currently in police custody are Wilson Ligomeka, 31, and Mthiwani Million, 27, both from Njolomole Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Njolomole Ntcheu, and Wisikesi Yakobe, 24, of Donda Village, T/A Njolomole, Ntcheu who on 23 March this year chased and stoned to death Wilson Thembachako, 30, of Donda Village T/A Njolomole, Ntcheu after a commotion erupted in the village during the funeral of their relative.

“The suspect was allegedly stoned to death as he ran away from his house which was set on fire by the suspects after they accused the deceased of practising witchcraft,” Chigalu said.

He said the suspects also allegedly torched five other houses within the village in protest against the death of their relative.

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Mike siliya
Mike siliya
8 years ago

Leka chukomesha wanthu ndiye kuti chani, mbuzi iwe eti!!

Nivindele
Nivindele
8 years ago

Cha wasambo ntchindere he’s a dpp puppet. Leka chukomesha wanthu.

Half mchewa,half mtumbuka
Half mchewa,half mtumbuka
8 years ago

Anazimbiri inu mukuoneka kuti mtumbuka anakukanani chibwenzi mukungobwebweta zanu zopanda mutu.Ngati chilipo chanzeru mwalemba apa?Koma zikugwilizana ndi nkhaniyi?

msumba-Bolero
msumba-Bolero
8 years ago

tayikani ma comment omveka,kodi ku Ntcheu nakonso kuli atumbuka? mwina paja anzathu sch ndi problem,welengani bwino! komanso musanyozenso kwambiri,tisiya kutumiza ma lorry,pajatu nthawi ya nursery ya fodya yayandikira,Aug-Sep.Zitsiru!!!!!!!

nazimbiri
nazimbiri
8 years ago

atumbuka sopano,tatochokako kum’mwera tikambe za a mbwenu mbwenu.anthu opanda manyazi ndi kupempha,uthakati,ncthito kunena uhule wa anthu ena,kuiwala wa ana awo.

m’malo momazisamalira,koma ugalu okhaokha.ncthito kuphunzitsa ana kumwa gondolosi,mkwapukwapu,mvunguti,nkhondo ku bedi,kugona ana obala okha.nsanje,misala
mabibi ku tchire,wina asataye chinthu ku bini,atopita komko kukatoleza,mutootcherana manyumba nde dziko mungayendetse?mabodza.akamanidwa zakudya,nde kuti atopeza nkhani yokanena komwe apatsidwa chakudya.mutonama agalu inu ndi federalism.

Funso
Funso
8 years ago

I see the usual ethnic discrimination in these comments. There are elements of witchcraft believed by members of all groups in Malawi but this is just a reflection of ignorance rather than tribal allegiance.

Reports such as these do nothing for attracting investment to the country.

Cathy
Cathy
8 years ago

koma abale ignorance mvula yavuta konse ndiye muziti mwakawidwa eeeeeh koma mwandiopsa

GOD Z WATCHNG
GOD Z WATCHNG
8 years ago

ndimakhala ku karonga chakonko kumeneku ufiti ulikodi ndipo sakunama anthu ogwira ntchto zaboma amathawa .amati akagna mnyumba usiku daily amapezeka ali panja.ena adafika pokalowa mnyumba yamlangizi kutuluka amakana amati wamuwuza zotulukamoyo mawa sadzuka.mmm wina adaumalanda mano kumugulula mufiti kumadya nyama ndi nkhama zokha zokhazokha mmmm .ambiri akumeneko satumbuka nda phoka akuchitipa.awakhaulitsa

Kindom ya Atumbuka
Kindom ya Atumbuka
8 years ago

why always karonga such stories ? Kkkkkkkk they are close Tanzania where they buy all that.

Ziyenda
8 years ago

Nkhani za ufiti siza Boma Tipiriza kulanga tokha.

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