Malawi witchcraft : Elderly man killed in Dedza

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Dedza Suspects
Dedza Suspects
The arrested people who killed the suspected witch.

A 70 year-old man in Dedza has been murdered by his nephews who accused him of practicing witchcraft.

Dedza deputy police publicist Cassim Manda confirmed the incident. Manda identified the deceased as Limion Julius of Mpango village, Traditional Authority Kasumbu in the district of Dedza.

He said the deceased was killed on the night of Wednesday by his nephews after they accused him of bewitching someone in the same village who was shortly admitted and died at Dedza district hospital.

The late Julius was hit on the head with pestles and died on the spot.

The body of the late Julius was taken to Dedza district hospital and a postmortem revealed that the senior citizen died due due to severe head injuries.

So far no one has been arrested on the matter since all three suspects are on the run. Manda identified the suspects as Wiscot Mwalimu, 19, Dandaulani Nyamulani, 25, and Jailosi Mwalimu, 24, all from of Mpango village T/A Kasumbu in Dedza. Meanwhile, Manda has condemned the killing saying that it is against the law.

Cassim Manda
Manda: We are investigating the matter.

Chapter 7:02 of laws of Malawi section 20 of the Witchcraft Act spurn any ordeal which is likely and directly to result in the death of or bodily injury.

Manda added that charging person with witchcraft is also prohibited on section 4 of Witchcraft Act and perpetrators shall be liable to imprisonment for five years.

He urged people to report to police if anyone accuses them of practicing witchcraft.

In December last year a 40 year-old man was also murdered at Nemon Katengeza after villagers accused him of practicing witchcraft.

Dedza police are still investigating the matter.