Thursday 27 August 2009

Old women bear brunt of witchcraft murders

From The Citizen, Dar es Salaam
By Paulina David and Jane Kajoki in Mwanza


Over 90 per cent of elderly persons killed in witchcraft-related incidents in Mwanza Region were women, the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr Abbas Kandoro, said on Tuesday.

Speaking during celebrations to mark the 90th anniversary of the Tanzania Police Force, observed at the regional level at Nyamagana Stadium, he said 56 out of 60 elderly persons killed in the region between January and this month were women.

Four melanin deficient persons were also brutally killed for similar beliefs during the period, he said. Assistant Commissioner of Police Alexander Mushi said the police force was educating primary school pupils on the impact of crime in the society, including the witchcraft-related killings.

Lessons taught to the pupils included security, which enlightened them on the impact of crime in their upbringing. Mr Mushi urged members of the public to refrain from harassing and discriminating children by caning, raping, sodomising or exposing them to child labour.

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