It is expected that civilization will continue to knock down the walls of cultural and traditional beliefs, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America. But it still remains a gradual process, as this report shows. A dry spell in parts of southern Malawi has brought accusations of witchcraft and bouts of mob violence to the fore. Authorities have been quick to condemn the attacks and dispel the accusations as a hoax.
The account of what transpired on the last Monday of last month is graphically narrated by an eyewitness, Aidah Waisoni, a resident of Nthambula village in Malawi’s southern Phalombe district. “We were about to take our supper when we saw a mob of armed young men approaching my house,” she said. She feared for her life and immediately ran out into the bush. From there, she says she saw the mob set fire to several houses.
Besides Waisoni, seven other villagers were targeted that day over accusations that they were withholding rains through magic. Police say there have been similar rumors circulating in other parts of the district, but no violence was reported elsewhere.
Crops have been reported to be dying in Nthambula village, which has been without rain since December. Fears of hunger among the populace are rife. A mob ransacked the home of 76-year-old traditional leader, Jameson Maideni. “I am surprised with the accusations because my maize garden has wilted because of the drought,” he said. “How could I withhold the rains and leave myself with nothing to eat?”
The latest figures from the Ministry of Agriculture show that more than 700,000 farmers are expected to lose 40 percent of their harvests this year because of low rainfall. Farmers are advised to plant early maturing varieties should the rains come.
Police say they have arrested six people in connection with the attack as the hunt continues for others who fled to neighboring Mozambique. Spokesperson for Phalombe Police Station, Innocent Moses, told reporters their preliminary investigations reveal the violence is related to unresolved chieftaincy wrangles. He says members of the community are taking advantage of the drought and local superstitions.
Phalombe is the same district that saw seven people killed by angry mobs last year over rumors of alleged vampires attacking residents.
