The words witch and witchcraft are used predominantly as an accusation throughout Africa, either to describe a number of clearly defined traditional religious practices that do not self-identify as witchcraft, as well as a number of variable urban legends perpetuated by religious leaders, churches and traditional healers.
In virtually every instance it is used to identify women, children and men who are not actual Witches.
Where alleged confessions of being a witch or practising witchcraft are made by the accused, reported testimony is either irrational or coerced through torture or threat. The 'witchcraft' most often referred to as accusation, allegation and harmful superstition, exists only in the minds of those who believe that witchcraft is the embodiment of evil and that witches are responsible for misfortune, disease, accident, natural disaster and death.
Witch-hunts occur in every country in Africa, and they are increasing in occurrence and brutality.
United Nations officials and civil society representatives from affected countries have already urged African governments to acknowledge the extent of the murder and persecution of women, children and men in their countries, as a result of witchcraft accusations.
Most African countries, including South Africa, have simply ignored this.
The ‘witchcraft epidemic’ in Africa is fuelled by religious extremism. Practitioners of traditional African religions, traditional healers, witch-doctors and Christian missionaries and religious leaders incite witch-hunts on this continent.
There are comparisons to be made between Africa’s current witch-craze, European Inquisitions and American witch-hunts. Perhaps the lessons to be learned in Africa are the same as those that needed to be learned by Europeans and Americans; there is no ‘culture’ without human rights.
All men and women, including Witches, have the right to live without being falsely accused, assaulted, persecuted or murdered.
Say NO to witch-hunts!
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VICTIMS OF
WITCH-HUNTS
in
SOUTH AFRICA
2010
January 4 2010
Mamakazi Mkhwanazi and her granddaughter Thobile Mbatha were burnt beyond recognition in Gunjaneni (Eastern Cape) after being accused of practising witchcraft.
January 13 2010
An 81-year-old woman, Badabukile Ndlovu, was stabbed 50 times and her throat slit by her neighbour who accused her of witchcraft, in KwaKwiliza near Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal.
February 2010
A 68-year-old man, Mbongeni Zungu, died after community members attacked him and burnt down his shack in Umlazi E section. They accused him of practising witchcraft, KwaZulu-Natal.
February 3 2010
A 65-year-old woman, Nokitani Tshemesi and her three grandchildren, Phumeza Ntakani aged 13, and Nonkoliseko Malolo and Akhona Malolo both aged 10, were found stabbed to death in their home in Kwaaiman, Eastern Cape. They were accused of witchcraft.
March 1 2010
A Limpopo family identified simply as the Mafogo family were accused of witchcraft and had their house burnt down in Magaung village at Sekororo, Maake, Limpopo.
NONE of these victims were Witches ! |
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