Arsonists burn 28 houses over witchcraft claims in Karonga

June 11, 2015 Tiwonge Kumwenda -Nyasa Times 32 Comments

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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32 replies on “Arsonists burn 28 houses over witchcraft claims in Karonga”

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

  4. 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!!!!!!!

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  8. 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

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

  11. Ufiti ulipo. Sikuti ndi a tumbuka okha amene Ali ndi ufiti, koma Malawi yonse ndiponso dziko lonse la pansi ufiti ulipo ndithu. Boma liyenera kuvomera kuti ufiti ulipo. Kenaka achitepo kanthu.

  12. a tumbuka a nzanga kumphunzira konsekuja ,tizakanganaso zaufiti apa .???? tatiyeni tipeze zina !!!

  14. The government is busy accomplishing the new world older movement , by promoting gay and witchcraft. How can u say that ufit doesn’t exist?? popeza the ancient texts and all religions admits the existence of witchcraft

  19. Kodi chifukwa chani boma limakana za ufiti ? Wina aliyense amene amakanira za ufiti, iyeyo akudziwa kanthu kumbali ya ufiti, kuyambira wa police, ma lawyer, nduna, mp, mafumu, apresdent onsewa ndi afiti.

  23. Quotated,”Anyone found harassing the other due to witchcraft and magic(whichever) , should be reported to police”.
    There is an increase of deaths these days without proper cause. Instance one collapses, rushed to the hospital; Upon arrival one is declared dead. Diagnosis by those Professionals, all relevant areas of the body, Results are negative, But one has died.
    Leave town for home just two days, from there THE WHOLE CHEST IS PLANTED WITH PNEUMONIAS, A PERSON FAILING TO BREATHE.
    MEN LETS NOT CHEAT ONE ANOTHER, WITCHCRAFT IS THERE.

  25. kodi inu mukuti atumbuka atumbuka, mukuganiza kuti ku ntcheu nako kuliso atumbuka? inu nde zixiru mwamva, mutu ngati gwafa wodedwa mbali imodzi.

  26. Mwangosakaniza nkhani apa.nkhani ndi ya Ku ntcheu.Why mixing up things.Ndi afisi aku ntcheu who are clubbing each other because of witchcraft.

  31. Atumbuka simugwirizana nokhanokha ndiye muziti federalism federalism chani apa.

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