Mzimba Police Hunt for Culprits who harassed elderly Women at the graveyard

Police in Mzimba are hunting for some men who harassed two elderly Women by beating them and forcing them to burry the dead at a graveyard at Mandala Zimba Village at Eswazini.

The victim Christina Mphande, adult of Mandala Zimba T/A Kampingo Sibande in Mzimba was accused by family members of bewitching her Daughter in law who died in South Africa.

On November 12, 2022 daughter in-law to the victim, who was staying in South Africa died and family members suspected that she was bewitched by the mother in law Christina Mphande.

The dead body was repatriated back home from South Africa, and on Friday December 2, 2022 dead body was taken to the graveyard for burial.

As burial Ceremony was taking place, a group of people pulled the victim and forced her to burry the dead body alone as she was being accused to be the one who bewitched the deceased.

The victim was forced to start burying the dead alone but was assisted by her sister. In the process, some people assaulted the victim to the extent that she lost her two teeth. She was later forced into the into the grave where she was to be buried alive.

She was rescued by her sister and daughters. The matter was reported to police.

Mean while Malawi Network for Elderly people Country Director Andrew Kavala said it is inhumane to continue thinking backwardly, violating the elderly citizen’s rights.

“As an institution, we strongly condemn what happened, if someone suspects any foul play in their communities, let them seek legal redress than taking the law in their hands because mob justice is illegal,” Kavala said.

At the meantime, police are investigating the issue to arrest the perpetrators. Once arrested they will be charged of Unlawful wounding and Charging a person with Witchcraft.