Couple murdered overstrange crocodile attacks

An elderly couple has been murdered by an angry mob in Karonga District after some community members accused them of breeding magical crocodiles that recently killed three people.

There are beliefs in Karonga that people breed magical crocodiles to attack their enemies. A number of people have been victims of crocodile attacks allegedly initiated by their foes although there is no proof.

Karonga Police spokesperson Enoch Livason on Tuesday confirmed the death of the couple, Tyte Vinkhumbo, 76, of Mchenjere Village and his wife Melina Fongo, 65, of Mwanyesha III Village both in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kyungu.

The two were killed on Monday after crocodiles killed three people in a space of three weeks.

People believed Vinkhumbo and his wife were behind the attacks and ambushed them on Monday while on their way to a bus stage.

The couple was beaten to death and dragged to their house where the mob set the bodies on fire and also set ablaze their house, according to police.

Karonga District Council chairperson Patrick Kisyombe condemned the killing of the couple. He said the council will come up with by-laws to protect people accused of witchcraft.

He said: “Some of these accusations are out of jealousy. When someone is doing well they are often suspected of witchcraft, so we need to protect people by coming up with by-laws.”