Mob Justice Cases Hits Record High In 2023

Civil Society Organisations (CSO) have expressed disappointment with the continued increase in the number of primitive, ancient and more precisely barbaric tendencies that have recently resurfaced in the country.

Recently, the media have encountered and reported several mob justice cases, with a nerve-cracking one in Dowa District where an old woman was buried alive on witchcraft accusations.

Commenting on the sad developments, the Coordinator of Children Programmes for the Community of Sant’ Egidio, Crief Daniel referred mob justice to be a trending serious issue in Malawi degenerating into the creation of a violent society.

“We cannot just stand aside and look when what used to be a peaceful state (Malawi) is gradually degenerating into a violent society. It is important for us (Civil Society Organizations) to immediately come and work together to address the root causes of this problem and advocate for the rule of law,” said Daniel.

He further stated that this may involve reminding the public about the dangers of mob justice by working with local authorities to ensure swift and fair justice while providing support to victims and their families starting with hotspot districts with unconvincing literacy levels like Dowa.

“Collaboration and a multi-faceted approach are key in addressing this concerning issue. Much as indicators are rife that inadequate literacy levels plays a major part in influencing the rotten mind-set, we must swiftly intervene and introduce the ‘School of Peace’ starting with the infantry,” he added.

Meanwhile, twenty-five (25) elderly persons have been killed in 2023, the Malawi Network of Elderly Persons Organization (MANEPO) has disclosed in it’s new year report.

MANEPO’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Kadwala says during the year, about 56 senior citizens faced various forms of harassment largely on witchcraft allegations.

“This is an increase from that of the year 2022 when 23 grannies were killed for being suspected of practicing witchcraft,” Quoted Kadwala.

Recently, the Commissioner of Police for the Northern region Noel Kayira, expressed concern over the continued homicide cases, some through mob justice and even marital disputes in the region.

Kayira says of greatest concern is mob justice perpetrated against elderly people on witchcraft allegations which have increased in the year 2023.

“People should be able to discuss and settle their differences, but also engage police without taking the law into their own hands,” said Kayira.

However, the police Commissioner commended his officers for the job being done saying despite minimum resources in all the districts in the region, coordination continues to be the biggest contributor.

Retired Child Justice Magistrate, Esmie Tembenu remains on record with a controversy arguing that even though the law is the best tool to deal with some malpractices but the rate of occurrence for such cases in the country need a strong deterrent.

The controversial stand was made in reference to the order made sometime back by the former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika on ‘shoot to kill’ which sparked a hot debate and was widely criticised though some observers defended it saying it brought about some sanity.

Tembenu said: ” Naturally I’m not for mob justice but on some issues it pains me a lot. Imagine if you were to go home and find your houseboy or older man on top of your two-year-old girl, and your daughter is bleeding profusely, would you tell people don’t beat him let’s take him to the police?”.

Meanwhile, the Community of Sant’ Egidion has refreshed it’s appeal for more collaborated efforts in the establishment of a movement to support its ‘School of Peace’ initiative across the country.