Mutharika tells ‘blood sucking victims’ to be calm: Ngolongoliwa promises  ‘a miracle’ in two  weeks

President Peter Mutharika has assured people in the Lhomwe-belt  – Phalombe,  Thyolo, Mulanje, and Chiradzulu districts that his government has intensified security  and is to get tp the bottom of the  suspected  “bloodsuckers” saga in the area, appealing ti the people to be calm.

Speaking at Phalombe Secondary School ground on Monday where he engaged people that have fallen victim of the alleged blood suckers, Mutharika said he was deeply saddened that people have to leave their homes and sleep outside, beaten up and property destroyed because of these rumors.

He made the remarks after hearing testimonies from seven people who either claimed to have been attacked by irate mobs or alleged vampires.

“I know that some of you are living in fear but I would like to assure you that government has deployed police officers, both plain and uniformed men and women to make sure that the whole community is protected. Let me ask you to return to the safety of your homes and be assured that my government will offer protection from these alleged blood suckers,” said President Mutharika.

Those who gave testimonies included  chiefs who told the President that  Group Village headman Degadenga’s house was destroyed  on allegations that he was harboring blood suckers in his house.

Communities in Phalombe also destroyed an ambulance following suspicions that it was used to transport blood from the district to unknown places.

During the interface meeting, it was discovered that people working on developmental issues as well as national registration exercise have pulled out of the exercise after they were attacked for being suspected of using tools for blood sucking.

Dickson Liwonde who shared an incident suspected to be related to blood sucking said his daughter fainted after smelling some unidentified scent from the house.

President Mutharika said he was personally  concerned with the confusion of bloodcuking rumors that is cuasing unrest among people in some communities.

Mutharika then said his government is working with various stakeholders including the religious community and traditional leaders to end the malpractice and he urged people in the district not to destroy property or beat up people alleged to be involved in the issue of blood sucking but rather report them to the police.

“We will get to the bottom of it and we will deal with it,” he said.

Mutharika  said government has deployed both civilian and uniformed police officers  t beef up security in the affected areas.

He appealed to communities to take suspects to police to do their work and not mob justice.

Paramount Chief Ngolongoliwa assured President Mutharika that traditional leaders will work together with government in ending the rumors by getting to the bottom of the issue, saying within two weeks , something miraculous will happen.

“Sangachoke uko ndimasenga kubwera kuno. Ife tilibe masenga? Sitingalole ena kuzatiulukila kuno. Bwana mumva uku two weeks kuti ndege zagwa. [We will deal wih them, Within two weeks, you will learn that the bloodsuckers ‘planes’ have been shot down.].

Traditional Authority Kaduya of Phalombe also echoed the same assurance and thanked the President for visiting them saying this has brought hope to the people of Phalombe.

President Mutharika is expected to visit the people of Chiradzulu on Tuesday where he will have an interface meeting with people affected by rumored blood sucking saga.

 

 

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