Tanzanian herbalist arrested in Chitipa
have arrested a Tanzanian herbalist, who allegedly entered Malawi illegally to exorcise evil spirits in the district.
Northern Region Police assistant spokesperson Maurice Chapola yesterday confirmed the arrest of the herbalist, identified as Lawrent Paul from Ileje District in Tanzania.
He said Paul will answer charges of illegal entry, instigating trials by ordeal and charging a person with witchcraft.
Chapola said police received information that the suspect was conducting trials by ordeal of alleged witches and wizards at Ipenza in Chitipa. The police rushed to the area where they found the suspect performing his tasks, he said.
“Police found the suspect in the process of exorcising the alleged charms at the house of group village head Ipenza and impounded the items used in the exorcism,” he said.
Police in Chitipa have since warned people against exorcism and labelling others as witches or wizards, saying those found doing so will be prosecuted.
In a related development, angry residents in Nkhotakota yesterday burned 20 houses of elderly people on suspicion that they were responsible for the village’s misfortunes.
