Police in Mzuzu have arrested five people at Mchengautuba for allegedly hiring a witchcraft.
They have since been charged with employing a witchfinder.
Paul Tembo
Mzuzu police public relations officer Paul Tembo has identified the suspects as Gabriel Phiri (45), Linda Mkandawire (40), Tryness Mhango (63), Stella Mkandawire (42) and Hastings Kumwenda (61).
It is reported that in January 2023, children from Kamfyokoto village mentioned names of people who were allegedly practicing and teaching them witchcraft.
This prompted people in the village to engage a witchfinder who arrived in the area yesterday but when he had started his activities, some well-wishers tipped the police who rushed to the village and managed to rescue one person who was being accused of witchcraft. That is when the arrests were also made.
The five are expected in court soon to answer charges of employing a witchfinder and charging a person with witchcraft, contrary to Section 4 of the Witchcraft Act.
Currently, the country’s laws do not recognise the existence of witchcraft and penalises any person who accuses another person of practicing witchcraft.
