4 killed over witchcraft allegations in Karonga

Four people have been being killed by fellow community members over witchcraft allegations at Lupembe area in Karonga District.

Karonga Police Officer In-charge, Sam Nkhwazi, confirmed the deaths but refused to divulge more information as investigations into the matter are underway.

Nkhwazi said soon after the incident, police officers who went on the scene on Friday for preliminary investigations were chased away by some community members.

“We went to meet Chief Lupembe to help us on how best to avoid further deaths but we were chased away because at that time, some bodies were not yet buried,” Nkhwazi said.

But some community members confided to The Daily Times that some community members killed the four in retaliation to a ‘suspicious death’ of a certain man in the area.

“A certain man died in the village on Thursday and his relatives were not happy. They invited a witchdoctor who named two people to be the ones behind the death of the man. This did not go well with people and they killed one because the other one run away. People then met his son; they hacked him and killed him on the spot. Later they found the man who went missing and was also killed,” said the source.

The incident comes after the country has registered 86 killings in mob justice from January to November this year; a development which has worried the police.

Speaking during this year’s Christmas ball in Mzuzu, Commissioner of Police for Northern Region, Hannings Mlotha, said it is sad that the number of cases of mob justice are on the rise despite several interventions.

“We have registered an increase in mob justice cases as people take the law in their hands. This is pathetic. Therefore, we urge the communities to ensure they report to police in case of any misunderstandings,” Mlotha said.

Social commentator, Moses Mkandawire, said people should be made to understand democracy and the rule of law.