3 in sorcery case to stand trial

THE Lae District Court has committed three people to stand trial in the National Court for the sorcery-related murder of a man they accused of practising sorcery in a remote village in Morobe.
Magistrate Edward Kupo yesterday told Nick Yawa, Michaelyn Yambu and Yambu Wenie of Elauru village in Bulolo district that after going through their submissions, there was sufficient evidence established in relation to their involvement in the death of Mengisa Wara.
“After going through their side of the story to find out what actually they did and how were they involved, the court has established that there is sufficient evidence to commit the accused to stand trial,” Kupo said. The matter will return to court on Feb 10, 2020.
Kupo, during the last mention of the case, said such cases were reported widely throughout the country that usually resulted in the death of the victim.
“It (sorcery) is a bad practice, but it is also impossible to prove that a person is practising it,” he said.
According to reports from the Bulolo court circuit, police prosecutor Snr Constable Adrian Copland said on March 24, 2019 around 9am Wara was brought to the village for a meeting.
The three accused with other villagers allegedly attacked Wara.
He was struck on the head with piece of timber by Yambu and slashed with a knife by another villager after he fell down.
Other villagers tried to stop the attack but were overpowered.