No arrests yet for Neno murderers

Four elderly people were on Monday killed in cold blood by an irate mob that suspected that the four deceased practiced witchcraft and were behind the death of their granddaughter who was struck by lightning.

Three days on, Police in Neno have not made any arrests of the masterminds of Monday’s killings.

According to Police they are waiting for one credible witness to the killings who is hospitalized at Neno hospital. The witness was severely beaten by the mob while trying to rescue the four deceased from the mob.

Speaking in an interview Wednesday, Neno Police Spokesperson Raphel Kaliati said police were waiting for burial to take place before they start making arrests.

For security reasons, Kaliati declined to give details of the witness who is hospitalized.

“I will not reveal particulars of the man for security purposes. We have reserved him as a witness because he was there and he knows the people who masterminded the attack. I am optimistic that by the end of two days we will make progress in as far as arresting the perpetrators is concerned,” he said.

Asked whether the Police was aware that delay in arresting the perpetrators may give them a chance to escape, Kaliati gave an assurance that police were doing all they can to arrest the perpetrators.

The four deceased all hailed from Chimbalanga Village in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Dambe in Neno.

The deceased are identified as Byson Kanjete, 73, Eliza Enoce Kanjete, 86, Elenefa Kanjete, 76 and Idesi Julius Kanjete aged 69.

Cases on mob justice especially exerted on elderly people who are suspected of witchcraft have been on the rise in Malawi in recent times.