Already old and frail, some elderly people in the country are being forced to entertain suicidal thoughts due to unfounded accusations that they practice witchcraft. THOMAS KACHERE exposes the extent of the problem.
Granted, every person has a right to own property and live in peace.
Unfortunately, some elderly people’s peace is being disturbed through accusations that they practice witchcraft.
As a result, some elderly people are being exposed to all sorts of abuse, including having their property grabbed, being banished from villages and, in the worst-case scenario, being killed.
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Take, for instance, some elderly people from Malonga Village, Traditional Authority Somba, in Blantyre.
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Some of them confided in Friday Shaker that they have contemplated suicide because they are tired of the persecution that is premised on witchcraft practice accusations.
One of the elderly people from the village, namely Nelly Malonga, said one comes to a point when they begin to think that “enough is enough”— especially when people they have counted on for years turn against them.
Malonga, who had 10 children, five of whom are dead, said she has been subjected to so much abuse that she needs urgent help.
Malonga, who can no longer farm as before, said her ordeal started when she reprimanded one of her great-grandchildren who allegedly had the habit of stealing items from others.
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She said, for example, that when she recently spoke against the tendency of theft by some of her blood relations, they started targeting her with accusations.
“Now they have resorted to accusing me of killing some of my own children, something I know nothing about. These are unfounded accusations.
“Now some of the accusers have started cutting down my trees, which they put up for sale. I do not understand why I am being persecuted like this,” she said.
Cheliya Nganga, who was born in 1941, is another victim of elderly persons abuse in the country.
She has gone through the misfortune of losing five of her seven children in the course of her life.
Nganga said she is being accused of killing her own children through witchcraft.
“Since some of my children died, some of my relations have been persecuting me day in day out. I am in great pain since I am also financially challenged. To make matters worse, I have no house to inhabit. I am too weak now and I also look after five grandchildren whose parents died. Things are not easy for me,” she said.
Nganga said, if she had her way, she would have harmed herself and died long ago.
“If I owned life and had a chance to find a hole underground and get in, I would have ended my life but, then, I am just waiting for the last day of my life,” Nganga said.
Tales of elderly people in the village have saddened Group Village Head Malonga, who said he has, times without number, been reporting such issues to the Malawi Police Service— all in the hope that law enforcers would take action once and for all.
“I am saddened with what is happening in my village and I am appealing to non-governmental organisations and other players to come in and start raising awareness on issues such as human rights. Elderly people have rights, like the rest of us, such that they must be left to live in peace,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nankumba Community-based Organisation Chairperson John Machika has said elderly abuse is negatively affecting the victims, such that most of them talk of contemplating suicide. We are, therefore, concerned with the development. We are trying to let people know that abusing the elderly is a violation of human rights.
“In some cases, we report perpetrators of such practices to police for remedial action,” Machika said.
According to media reports, at least 18 older persons have, so far, been killed since January 2024.
They have all died at the hands of people who accused them of practising witchcraft in Malawi.
This has riled Malawi Network of Older Persons’ Organisations Executive Director Andrew Kavala, who said elderly persons abuse is irresponsible citizenship.
He said it is everyone’s responsibility to protect and take care of the elderly.
Kavala was quick to say committing suicide is not a solution to problems one encounters in life.
“What is key at this level is to see to it that people are able to report perpetrators to the right authorities within their areas. We, as an institution, are also more than available to provide counselling services to them,” he said.
He said this applies to older men and women who have been talking of wanting to commit suicide because of frustrations that come along with witchcraft accusations.
“We sympathise with them but also appeal to them that the issue of suicide should not, at any point, come into the conversation,” Kavala said.
He added that the witchcraft Act in Malawi does not recognise the existence of witchcraft, such that “accusing someone of practising witchcraft is against the laws of the land and if people continue doing that, the wheels of justice will run their course”.
During a visit to Mulanje District in July this year, State Vice President Michael Usi urged people to report anyone found abusing the elderly.
Kavala also commended leaders who speak against elderly people abuse.
“We need to speak the same language,” Usi said.
Reports show that older persons face numerous challenges in Malawi.
These challenges include discrimination, abuse, attacks, killings, accusation of practising witchcraft, health issues and neglect.
However, detaching elderly people from perceptions that attribute all challenges to them remains a toll order for government agencies, non-governmental organisations and development partners.
