By: Annakleta Haikera
Laurencia Sindimba Haure (63) was left emotionally and financially hurt after seven people at Kasivi village in Kavango West accused her of being a witch and burned her cuca shop, which she brews traditional brew for locals and depends on for her income.
Sikongo Daniel Hamutenya, Sindimba Teresia, Mpepo Andreas Matamu, Kamina Frans Kasera, Siremo Joseph Siyengo Mukuve Joseph have since been arrested on charges of malicious damage, arson, malicious damage to state property and defamation of character.
“I am an old lady. I do not know why people think if you are old, you are a witch. Our mindsets need to change. These people caused me a lot of harm, emotionally and physically. I know that everyone is talking about what happened to me, but I want these suspects to learn to respect others and not cause harm to people. I wish they could remain in jail, “Haure told The Villager.
Among those arrested include a teacher from Kasivi Combined school, Kamina Frans Kasera. Kasera is believed to have been at the forefront of witchcraft issues alleged to have been happening at the same school.
The suspects allegedly set fire on Haure’scucashopand threw stones at a police vehicle when the local police arrived on the scene to intervene.
They appeared before the Kahenge magistrate on Tuesday this week. Two received bail, and the other five are still behind bars.
Kasivivillage, where the incident happened, is about 50km from Rundu in Kavango West.
The ordeal started after Haure was accused of bewitching her granddaughter, who died last year.
“Just because my granddaughter is dead, it doesn’t make me a witch. The word ‘witch’ is a powerful thing. You cannot call me a witch. What proof do they have that I am a witch? They hurt me, and I opened a case of defamation of character, malicious damage to property and arson,” she said.
Two acclaimed prophets in the area were later arrested, taking the tally of detained suspects to eight. The two prophets allegedly went to Kasivi village and incited locals into accusing Haure of being a witch and the cause of their troubles.
“There was a prophet or so-called man of God at this village, and when he came, one of those that caused the attack on me was told he is a witch. That Sunday when the seven of them came, I was with my grandson and daughter at the cuca shop, and I saw how they approached me in anger,” Haure recalled.
“They started shouting, saying all those bad words. I told them I was not a witch. I noticed that these people were very angry and wanted to do something to me. I told my grandson to call the police. He called the police, and the response from the police was fast. They came fast from Bunya.”
She said that when the police arrived at the scene, they attempted to explain the situation, but the suspects shouted and told her to be quiet and that the police will not help her.
“As I was speaking to the police, a lot of chaos started. I saw that my cuca shop (thatch hut) was on fire, and I was left puzzled, not knowing what to do. All my things that were there went up in flames.”
“The same people who burned my cuca shop started throwing stones at the police car, worsening the situation. I ran away from them to save myself. As you can see, the cuca shop was badly burned. I thank God no one was inside the cuca shop, or else it could be another crime committed by people who want to be famous with no reason.”
In July last year, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) passed a resolution on eliminating harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks.
