89-YEAR OLD MAN BEATEN AMIDST WITCHCRAFT ACCUSATIONS
In a shocking display of elder abuse, an 89-year old man of Kasamba village in the area of senior chief Symon in Neno district, was brutally attacked and forcibly expelled from his village after being accused of witchcraft following the tragic demise of his grandson.
The victim identified as Binwell Chabwera narrated the following to his fellow elders at Mai Mbambande Foundation, “my grandson was a businessman he used to burn charcoal for sale, on the day he met his fate, he went to the forest to cut tree then a branch of tree which he was cutting fell on his eyes and he was badly injured. His siblings took him to the hospital without notifying me. They accused me of sending the branch of tree mysteriously. And he was admitted”. After a week, the condition worsened and the deceased relatives decided to inform Chabwera when they saw that his condition was deteriorating each passing day, he further explained. He went ahead to say that his relatives threatened to kill him if his grandson dies.
“After a few hours they came again. My daughter heard the noises and ordered me to hide, they found me where I was hiding and started chasing me. I fell into a pit and they beat me badly. Well-wishers took me to zalewa police where I stayed for three weeks.
Speaking to Zodiak online, Neno police Public Relations Officer, Austin Kamwendo, confirmed the incident, and called for elderly institutions to come to their rescue as they are failing to provide food to the man due to financial problems. The officer added that Chabweras village is still hostile hence the need to locate a new place until the situation stabilises.
Meanwhile experts in the field of elder care and social welfare have emphasized the need for increased awareness and education to combat the escalating problem of elder abuse.
This is sad development to the elderly people
ReplyDeleteEish, too bad
ReplyDeleteI can feel the pain to that aged man
ReplyDeleteMalawians let's be civilized
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Malawi where being old is associated with witchcraft. This is very uncalled for.
DeleteThis is a sad development. Government should take a leading role in protecting the elderly.
ReplyDeleteImagine that being done to your granny.... very sad
ReplyDeleteThis is bad,very bad! so When you are old you automatically become a witch?my country people why are we not moving forward?
ReplyDeleteThis needs urgent attention!
These acts were for people in the 90's, its time to get civilized
ReplyDeleteThis is really bad, we need to respect old people because they have more life experiences and wisdom to share on different problems. Respecting elders is not just a matter of good manners but it is also a moral obligation. We need to give them the respect and attention they deserve.
ReplyDeleteElders have contributed to society throughout their lives and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in their old age.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad. The myth of old people being afiti can be demistyfied if Malawians are well educated. We need serious education content on various issues in our early years syllabus
ReplyDelete