PETI SIYAME, Sumbawanga, 26th November 2009 @ 12:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 323
POLICE in Rukwa Region have arrested seven farmers, including a woman from Kajeje village in Mpanda District, for allegedly killing two villagers - Fransisco Sindatuma (60) and Simbaluhinje Yosia (63), accusing them for conducting witchcraft practices in the area.
Acting Regional Police Commander (RPC), Mr Jacob Mwaluanda, named the suspects as Suzan Bakeyemba (50), as the group ring-leader , Nestory Biligi (40), Jailos Nyandwi (30), Siriyako Avialimana (35), Emmanuel Gervas (33), Leonidas Nyandwi (27) and Dismas Banigwa (40).
Mr Mwaluanda said the group allegedly traced Sindatuma and found him attending his maize field at Kabunga area in the village. Armed with machetes, they grabbed him and cut wide open his chest and left him.
Sindatuma reportedly died on the spot. The suspected murders went to Tambazi area, a distant from the village. Armed with traditional weapons including clubs and machetes, they invaded the house of Yosia who was fast asleep and hacked him to death.
"Police were alerted following the incidents and in close collaboration with members of traditional militia "Sungusungu" and members of the public, all the seven suspected murders were tracked down and arrested, "said the acting RPC.
The clothes, shoes and machetes of the alleged murders were spotted stained with fresh blood and when grilled, the suspects admitted to have committed the crime and cited revenge to them because the deceased were suspected by entire villagers as being notorious witches.
According to the suspects, the deceased were also repatriated from the village three times, but they remained defiant.
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