Approximately a year ago, I wrote an article about mob justice. Nothing has changed, just last month, two elderly women accused of witchcraft were publicly humiliated and abused in Mzimba. What's tragic is that several individuals stood by while these women were pushed, bullied and forced to bury the deceased, who they were accused of killing. Such lawlessness has no place in a democratic society like Malawi.
In many communities, it actually doesn't take much for one to be accused of witchcraft, but in the majority of them, the old, particularly the poor, are at a considerably greater risk than any other community members. The victims have suffered severe injuries at the hands of their neighbors and community members.
What baffles me in all of the examples of violence against persons accused of witchcraft is that someone always thinks it's better to take a video than to call for help from the police or other people in authority who can help relieve the situation.
I've heard that the culprits in the Mzimba case have been caught, but I'm sure they'll make bail and that'll be the end of it.
Addressing a major issue like this requires a comprehensive solution that goes beyond top government officials, non-governmental organizations, and the police denouncing the crimes without proposing solutions to resolve the crisis once and for all.
A majority of Malawians believe in witchcraft, there is a need for laws to recognize witchcraft in order to protect those accused of practicing witchcraft, those who claim it and other parties. The witchcraft act of 1911 assumes that witchcraft doesn’t exists and makes it an offence to accuse someone of practicing witchcraft.
Dismissing or ignoring witchcraft as something that people believe exists is careless and has proven over and over again that it causes so much harm. The accused are attacked and the perpetrators feel it is right to take matters in their own hands as they know nothing will be done about the situation when referred to law institutions. I'm sure as a country, we can come up with laws that can help us resolve these problems. Laws which give both parties chances to be heard . An understanding that issues of witchcraft can be addressed amicably.
However, for now, community members must be sensitized on mob justice killings, abuse, and other crimes. They must know that there is no justification for causing harm to anyone, more so for something like witchcraft whose existence cannot be proved. Many people get away with such heinous actions because they feel safe when such things are perpetrated in groups.
Finally, I would like to know what happens to the victims after the situation settles. Are they simply left to deal with the matter on their own in the community? And what keeps them safe from future attacks? And if witchcraft doesn’t exist? Why are we allowing so many people to get harmed and lose lives over it?
It is very bad as these issues are worsening and we don't know when such wickedness will end.