The Bishop of Upper Shire has condemned as “satanic and barbaric” the murder of four elderly people accused of sorcery.

The Bishop of Upper Shire has condemned as “satanic and barbaric” the murder of four elderly people accused of sorcery. In a statement issued over the weekend, the Rt. Rev. Brighton Malasa said “It is sad to note that life which was supposed to be preserved is being taken wantonly like trees. God created a human being and said it was very good. No one was commanded to take someone’s life.” Last week Malawian police arrested 12 people in Chimbalanga village in the Neno district in connection with the lynching of two men and two women on 25 Jan 2016. The mob believed the four were witches and sorcerers who had caused the death of a 17 year old girl who had been struck by lightning in the village earlier that day. “I call upon fellow Malawians to take issues of witchcraft with caution. It is wrong to think that elderly people are all witches and wizards,” he said, noting “This generalization victimizes innocent people as there is no proof that those killed were indeed witches. Or even if they were, no one is mandated to punish, let alone to kill.” The bishop said it was the fear of witchcraft, not witchcraft itself, that led to the “satanic spirit” of murder.  “Malawi has always be known as a God fearing nation. Where is that spirit going? Why are we of recent hearing of murder and killings? Malawi should not become a lawlessness country. Lets us love one another,” wrote Bishop Malasa.