Mzimba district commissioner (DC) Emmanuel Bulukutu has urged people in the district to stop engaging witch-doctors to identify or exorcise alleged witches, warning that the practice is fuelling violence and the killing of innocent people.
He made the appeal on Saturday during a meeting with village heads convened following a series of witchcraft-related incidents that have left three people dead in Mchelela Village in Traditional Authority M’Mbelwa after being forced to drink some concoctions on suspicion that they were witches.
During the meeting, some village heads alleged that after suspicious deaths of some people in the area, the community contributed money to invite a witch hunter to identify those responsible. They said that upon identifying the three people, the witchdoctor forced them to take herbal concoctions which led to their deaths.
But Bulukutu said that many deaths in communities are caused by natural illnesses such as hypertension and other medical conditions; hence, should not be blamed on witchcraft.
“These days, people die from different illnesses. Not every death is a result of witchcraft. We must stop accusing innocent people because such actions lead to unnecessary loss of life,” he said.
Bulukutu warned that violence associated with witchcraft accusations scares away investors, development partners, ultimately slowing development in affected communities.
Group village head Mchelela Mhoni welcomed the DC’s intervention, disclosing that those responsible for bringing the witch doctor into the area are now in police custody.
He pledged that traditional leaders will work together to prevent similar incidents from happening again in future.
“We will remain vigilant and ensure that such practices do not return to our communities. As village heads, we will not allow people to invite witch doctors to conduct these unlawful activities,” said the chief.
A student teacher at St Joseph Primary School, Cathy Kaunda, said the incidents also affected children’s education, as many learners are dropping out of school and becoming exposed to harmful beliefs and practices in the area.
