Police in Mufumbwe District , Northwestern province, are looking for four brothers who are on the run after killing a 72-year-old man on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
Northwestern province Commissioner of Police Elias Chushi has confirmed in an interview the incident believed to have happened over the weekend at Kabwebwe village in Mufumbwe district in Solwezi today.
The four assailants who are on the run beat up Jackson Makaliki who is also headman Kabwebwe using fists and kicks in a bid to avenge their father’s death.
“A 72 year old man of Mufumbwe district has been murdered by four brothers who allegedly beat him up using fists and kicks.
“ Brief details of the report state that on Saturday 19th December 2020, Jackson Makaliki also known as headman Kabwebwe and Wisdom Kalemba were accused of practicing witchcraft that caused the death of Boas Masasala of the same area,” Mr Chushi said.
The deceased together with another person identified as Wisdom Kalemba were accused of practicing witchcraft and caused the death of Boas Masasala of the same area and were later banished from the village by a council of elders after finding them guilty.
“Around 19 hours (19th December 2020) the four brothers conspired to avenge the death of their father. They followed the suspected wizard headman Kabwebwe and killed him in his house at Kabwebwe village. The suspects whose identity is withheld are on the run,” Mr Chushi said.
He said the four assailants whose identities have been withheld are on the run.
The provincial police chief has appealed to members of the public to desist from practicing instant mob justice on innocent people adding that people should observe the rule of law.
Witchcraft solved by bewitched minds! How does the murder of one doing wrong solve the problem?
Find them and lock them up…. Does it mean people should stop growing old for fear of being accused of practicing witchcraft??
Behaviour which is common among upnd cadres. Please catch and cage these animals
Cage those barbarian… They should rot in jail.. Sha!!! People won’t be getting old??
We forget that one we will grow old and if people don’t change their perception that old people are wizards then we will be affected as well. Ubokote doesn’t mean you are a witch but a blessing that you have lived to see age God has put it in his word that man shall live such long time. To God’s eye people should live above 70 years even up to 120 years. Genesis 6
There’s a higher rate of witchcraft prevalence in rural areas. It therefore calls for a review of the Witchcraft Act. Many young teachers, nurses and other civil servants posted to rural areas abandon their positions because of witchcraft. Chief Sikoongo is still trying to sort out the issue after the whole health post was abandoned due to witchcraft. So let’s not treat this matter as a joke. Karavinas have killed many in Western province