Mob lynches two women (66) over witchcraft suspicion

MUGINI JACOB in Mara

TWO women, both aged 66, have been killed by a 300-strong mob that also reduced their houses to ashes on suspicion of practising witchcraft in Rorya District, police have confirmed. The killings occurred at Kyanyamsama village in Rorya at about 2pm on Monday, according to Tarime/Rorya Zonal Police Commander, Mr Andrew Satta.

A police statement made available to the ‘Daily New’ yesterday named the deceased as Nyakorema Warioba and Ghati Ndege. Police have already arrested 17 suspects in connection with the incident, while a manhunt has been intensified to ensure all culprits are booked.

Rorya District Commissioner (DC), Mr Felix Lyaniva, was forced to rush to the scene on Tuesday where he also took part in the burial of the deceased. “I went there and participated in the burial of these two mothers who were killed.

I urged Rorya people to drop their witchcraft beliefs,” the DC said in a brief interview with the ‘Daily News’ yesterday. He condemned the killings, noting that all those involved must be arrested and face legal action. 

Meanwhile, JIMMY LWANGILI reports that Police in Shinyanga Region have gunned down three suspected bandits after they tried to rob a shop and killed two people in Kahama District on Tuesday.

The Shinyanga Regional Police Commander (RPC), Mr Dismas Kisusi, said they were four bandits with two guns, one is Sub-Machine Gun (SMG) with number 1996-Afu 2297, UZIGUN with number 3452, a knife, hand grenade and 60 rounds of ammunition.

Mr Kisusi told this newspaper over the phone yesterday that the incident occurred on Tuesday evening along the Tabora/ Shinyanga Road when the bandits attacked the shop of one Emmanuel Mkumbo (38), who they shot on the chest and head after he refused to give them money.

“The bandits also shot on the stomach a customer identified as Seleman Shaban (32), who was present during the raid. He died shortly after being rushed to Kahama Hospital,” he said.

According to the RPC, three bandits were killed during exchange of fire with the police officers when they were trying to escape from the scene. One unidentified bandit managed to disappear.

Police found two guns, 60 rounds of ammunitions, a knife, two hand grenade, two motorcycles; one make with registration number T 959 CAE bearing a chassis number LBRSPJB5IC900191 and another SanLg motorcycle, which do not have a registration number.

Mr Kisusi said the suspects failed in their mission to rob the shop, adding that investigations have launched to look for the disappeared bandits.

The bodies of the shopkeeper and customers were handed over to their relatives for the burial arrangements while those of the bandits have been preserved at the Kahama Town Council.