A drastic approach to curbing rumours

by Feòrag

Tanzania: Mateo Qaresi, Mbeya Regional Commissioner has banned traditional healers from the area in an attempt to stop a spate of witchcraft-related killings. Any healer remaining in the area after the ban comes into effect will be arrested.

Qaresi said the government was waging war against killers of women and rumour mongers who spread reports that body parts of women were needed in witchcraft rituals.

He said the government would make sure that the spate of killings of women in the region would end in two months time from now.

He described as untrue claims that 60 women were needed to be sacrificed for the new Southern African Development Community international airport to be constructed in Songwe area.

Mbeya RC bans traditional doctors from neighbouring regions, countries—The Guardian (Tanzania), 12th March 2003. See also An African Ripper?—Pagan Prattle, 24th February 2003 and African witch-beliefs—Pagan Prattle, 1st November 2002.

Tags: Tanzania, violence against women, witchcraft