Beheaded over sorcery accusation

A MAN who allegedly caused the death of another through sorcery was found beheaded in Bougainville’s Haku last week.
The killing also sparked the burning of houses at the scene.
Bougainville Deputy Commissioner of Police Francis Tokura told The National that the incident started after a man died allegedly through poisoning linked to sorcery. “Police are addressing the issue and the locals from Haku led by their leaders held a meeting at the Hutjena Police Training Centre where they discussed ways to stabilise the situation,” he said.
“Police officers were sent to the area and were monitoring the situation.”
President Ishmael Toroama said the spate of violent acts and the general deterioration of law and order in Bougainville could no longer be ignored.
“I condemn the recent senseless acts of murder, arson related to sorcery and payback killings that have happened in the last couple of weeks throughout Bougainville,” Toroma said.
Across the sea into Bana in South Bougainville, another sorcery related killing is now seeing policemen in Bougainville stretched with limited resources.
The incident, similar to the one in Haku, was due to a couple who were said to have been involved in practicing sorcery, this time using snakes.
DCP Tokura said there was a mediation on Friday to come to a common understanding and assist the police with investigations.
“I am now appealing to everyone to report such incidents to the police
“Do not take the law into your own hands.
“I do not see these problems as isolated incidents or crimes that can be justified with due cause.
“No crime can be justified,” he said.