Faith groups condemn mob justice

By Faith Faith Mathotho

Some faith groups in the country have called upon religious communities to come out and strongly condemn the mob justice and witchcraft accusations in Chikwawa and Nsanje districts.

This follows the killings of about eight people in the two southern districts over rumors of missing male body parts.

According to a joint statement by Malawi Interfaith Association for Action (MIAA) and Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS (MANERELA) which was released recently.

The statement which was signed by Pilira Ndaferankhande and Canon Allie Mwachande, said  the killings are unacceptable and must be condemned by all well-meaning Malawians and that there is no rumors, fears or beliefs in witchcraft that can justify the taking of a human life. 

Mwachande who co-signed the statement

The statement further said that the word of God is very clear on the issue of taking a human life, saying the commandments are clear and unmistakable. The statement cited Exodus 20 verse 13 “you shall not kill” and proverbs 31:8-9 which states that all believers should speak up for the voice and defend the cause of the poor and oppressed.

“The pain of it is that some of the communities, the elderly people are currently living in fear with some even facing witchcraft accusations. This is disturbing and unrightfully. An old person is not a burden but rather a repository of memories, wisdom and culture. An older person in the village, church or mosque is a sign of grounded and morally anchored community,” the statement read.

The faith groups have therefore appealed to the communities to immediately stop mob justice and let the law do its job, by saying that when the law is ignored and justice is overlooked, many innocent lives are lost and communities suffer division and grief.

MIAA and MANERELA+ have called upon the police to enforce community policing institutions, respond promptly to distress calls and make emergency alert numbers widely known so that every villager knows where and how to report threats to life and safety.

Meanwhile police officers have camped in the two districts where among others they are sensitizing people on the dangers of fanning false allegations that human body parts can go missing. So far, over 90 people have been arrested and are expected to appear in court soon.