Witchcraft allegations: Elderly left to die

 To say that the elderly in Malawi has joined the group of endangered species cannot be far from the truth.

The only crime they commit is to become old, a frightening situation considering that everyone is going there at different times.

A number of the elderly have been murdered across the country on witchcraft allegation. Neno is one of the leading districts in the country with such records.

But the latest case of 89-year-old Binwell Chabwera from Kasamba 1 Village in Traditional Authority Saimoni in the district is not only cruel, but also inhumane.

His grandchild died in the village and he was immediately accused of being responsible. Facing possible threat to his life, Chabwera escaped and took refuge at a police station at Zaleka Roadblock.

What is surprising is that even his family has disowned him. Nation On Sunday quotes his son, Fasitoni Chabwera, as claiming that the old man practices witchcraft. Fasitoni’s conviction is based on the fact he (Binwell) failed to visit his grandson when he was sick. Fasiton says if his father comes back, he will be killed.

His sister, Esnarth, also does not want him after being accused of having a hand in the death of their mother. “We do not want him here and we cannot visit him at the police [when he was at Zalewa Police],” she said.

The issue of the elderly being murdered on witchcraft allegations has been there for a while and it seems there is no end to it. Where do we go wrong?

The Malawi Network for Older Persons Organisation (Manepo) country director Andrew Kavala puts the whole blame on government.

He claims that it is not enacting a legislation that can protect the elder.

Says Kavala: “It [killing of elderly on witchcraft allegation] is something that can be the thing of the past if government had showed interest.

“There is an Order Persons Bill which, if enacted, can help to protect them. But government is silent on the matter which one can conclude that there is no political will.”

The country director complains that even the tone of political leaders is mild compared to other unfortunate incidents.

He gave an example of the injuring and killing of people with albinism and the protection of girls as some of the issues where government was in full throttle to ensure that if a suspect is found, he will face the law.

He also expresses worry over delays in concluding cases of people that are suspected to have killed the elderly on witchcraft allegations.

“The Judiciary should be together with us in protecting the elderly. There are cases against them [suspected elderly killers] which are yet to be concluded.”

“When people see the conclusiveness of cases, they fear to commit such crimes for fear of jail. But since the court is quiet, no one is afraid to harass or kill the elderly on witchcraft allegations.”

Former Minister of Gender Patricia Kaliati agrees on the need to implement legislation that can protect the elderly.

She, however, says in addition to legislation, there has to be a collective approach to deal with the situation.

Says Kaliati: “This job is not for one person. Human rights organisations, traditional leaders and other stakeholders should come together and strategise on how to deal with the situation.”

But Kavala says it is becoming difficult to work outside their programme because their work is donor-funded.

He says they feel like expanding their work, but cannot do that because donor money is only used for what it was given for.

Says the country director: “For example, something in Chitipa has happened to the elderly that needs our presence. We cannot go there because there is nothing in the budget which is donor funded.”

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) executive director Michael Kaiyatsa notes a number of reasons for the killing of the elderly to continue.

According to him, top on the list is the culture of impunity which, he observes, has been allowed to develop and settle on people’s minds about witchcraft and the elderly.

Says Kaiyatsa: “In the last three years, we have witnessed over 60 killings based on witchcraft accusations. A majority of these crimes remain uninvestigated and unpunished.

“People commit these crimes knowing they will not be held accountable for their actions. So when a killing happens and it is not investigated and punished, many more killings will occur.”

Kaiyatsa, whose organisation and Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) have an awareness project on protecting the elderly and people with albinism in Mulanje, calls on authorities to address the issue first if they want to protect the elderly suspected of witchcraft.

But government says the commitment to protect the elderly is there and is moving swiftly to address the situation.

Gender Minister Jean Sendeza says the eagerly awaited Order Persons Bill will be tabled in Parliament during the forthcoming seating.

She says: “The Bill has already passed through a number of processes and is now awaiting Cabinet. It will then be sent to Parliament for approval.

“We know that sometimes it has been a problem to deal with it due to lack of legal procedure. But things are now moving fast.”

Sendeza, however, says that even before the Bill turns into law, government, in partnership with other stakeholders such as the police, chiefs and non-governmental organisations, has intensified awareness campaigns to enable people to understand the importance of protecting the elderly.

She condemns the habit of tormenting the elderly, saying they are sources of wisdom. Sendeza warns that everyone will one day become old and that other people might do the same to them.

Says the minister: “Take me as an example. I was a girl and strong. But now, the energy is no longer there because of time. It is sad that these days, when you are rich or old, you are associated with witchcraft.

“This should be ignorance and if that is the case, go to school. Otherwise leave the elderly alone.”

One of the worst cases of brutal murder of the elderly on suspicion of practising witchcraft happened in Mwanza in 2016 where four elderly were murdered. Dowa, Neno, Karonga and Dowa are some of the districts that are affected.

Even religious leaders have joined the condemnation of the act. Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese of the Catholic Church maintains that there is no witchcraft, but that the belief is there because of poverty and ignorance.

He also calls on authorities to speed up the prosecution of people suspected of killing the elderly on witchcraft allegation, saying delaying it is letting down the elderly.

General secretary of Livingstonia CCAP Synod, the Reverend Wiliam Tembo, wonders how a God fearing nation can have people that kill the elderly.