Govt condemns mob justice
Minister of Civic Education and National Unity Timothy Mtambo has urged people in the country to stop taking the law into their own hands.
The minister made the call on Thursday in Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga District during the launch of Government Citizen Engagement on mob justice.
Mtambo said cases of mob justice were on the rise in some parts of the country.
He said: “Mob justice is evil and unacceptable. No one has the power to take another person’s life.
“That is why there are security institutions to help us when we have misunderstandings.”
Mtambo asked traditional leaders to take a leading role in ending mob justice by encouraging dialogue among their subjects when there are misunderstandings.
Malawi Police Service Deputy Commissioner responsible for community policing Aubrey Nyirenda asked for collaboration to end mob justice.
He said: “We are pleased that the ministry has reached out to the community with this important information.
“It is our hope that this will reduce the malpractice.”
On his part, Paramount Chief Kyungu said he is hopeful the initiative will end mob justice in the district.
He said: “The problem is big, stressful and it worries us chiefs in the district.
“We also appeal to the media to continue helping us in civic educating people on the dangers of mob justice.”
In September, a mob in Paramount Chief Kyungu burned Hauli Mwaghogha on suspicion that he bewitched his brother.
Police later arrested 10 people in connection with the mob justice.
In August, Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice of Karonga Diocese embarked on a peace-building initiative to reconcile community members at Mpata who clashed over witchcraft accusations.
Recently, there also have been cases of mob justice in Chikwawa, Mangochi, Mzimba, Nkhata Bay and Lilongwe districts.
