Elderly people in parts of Mzimba District are expected to breathe a little easier following a new civic education drive aimed at ending violence and false accusations of witchcraft, a problem that has left many older persons living in fear within their own communities.
The awareness campaign, led by the Department of Civic Education, was launched on Wednesday at Mchelela Village in Traditional Authority M’Mbelwa, bringing together government officials, police officers, traditional leaders and community members to confront the rising cases of mob justice linked to witchcraft allegations.
Officials said the campaign is focused on changing attitudes that have, in some cases, led to older persons being attacked or chased from their homes after being accused of practising witchcraft without evidence.
Speaking during the meeting, Chief Civic Education Officer Kondwani Chitosi said the initiative was prompted by a growing number of cases in which older persons have been assaulted or killed after being falsely accused of practising witchcraft.
He stressed that older persons enjoy the same constitutional rights as every other citizen and deserve to live in dignity, safety, and peace.
“Older persons deserve protection and equal treatment under the law. Communities must stop taking the law into their own hands and embrace peaceful ways of resolving conflicts,” said Chitosi.
Mzimba Police Station Victim Support Unit Coordinator Peter Chima reminded community members that mob justice is a criminal offence and warned that anyone who participates in attacks on suspected individuals risks prosecution.
“The law must be allowed to take its course. No one has the right to attack or punish another person based on suspicion or unverified allegations,” Chima said.
Representing M’Mbelwa District Council, Mightwell Mtonga expressed concern that harmful cultural beliefs and baseless accusations of witchcraft continue to expose many older persons to discrimination, harassment, and violence.
He urged communities to protect the rights of older persons and ensure they live in an environment that guarantees peace, security, and dignity.
Group Village Headman Jeremani Mahowe welcomed the campaign, describing it as timely and important in helping communities understand the need to protect older persons from violence and harmful cultural misconceptions.
Mahowe encouraged residents to put into practice the knowledge gained during the awareness campaign by rejecting mob justice and working together to safeguard vulnerable members of society.
The Department of Civic Education says it will continue rolling out similar awareness campaigns across the country to promote human rights, strengthen the rule of law, and eliminate violence against older persons, particularly those targeted by false accusations of witchcraft.
