Police in Mulanje have arrested two men for allegedly killing Fainesi Mawira, 60, and seriously injuring her son Mark Aruvi, 20, over witchcraft accusations.
The suspects were arrested on Tuesday night after they allegedly committed the crime on January 2 this year at Kazembe Village in Senior Chief Nkanda.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mulanje Police Station spokesperson Grecium Ngwira said the attack came after Mawira’s sister, Elizabeth, died of a heart attack.
He said: “This did not please some villagers who mobilised themselves and accused Mawira and her son of bewitching Elizabeth.
“So, the mob assaulted Mawira and her son.”
Ngwira said police officers rushed to the village and took the victims to Mulanje District Hospital where the old woman died while receiving treatment.
He said the suspects will appear in court soon to answer a murder charge, contrary to Section 209 of the Penal Code.
Recently, there have been attacks on old people on witchcraft allegations in Karonga, Chitipa, Nkhata Bay and Neno districts.
Speaking recently to The Nation, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati condemned the acts.
