Duo sentenced to 15 years for murder

TWO men have been jailed for 15 years each for killing an elderly woman whom they believed to have caused the death of former Simbu provincial administrator Joe Bal.
Joe Bal Junior, 48, and Balito Sine, 29, of Giu village in Sinasina, Chimbu, were also ordered to do hard labour.
They were convicted of murdering Rose Waras Kuipa of Giu village after accusing her of practising sorcery over the death of the former administrator.
Kuipa was dragged out of her home on Sept 15, 2008 and taken to an unknown spot where she was killed.
A third accused, James Minga, is still under remand and is expected to be tried soon.
In passing sentence at the Kundiawa National Court on Nov 11, Acting Justice Lawrence Kangwia said the courts must impose severe sentences to deter sorcery-related killings which he noted was rampant in the highlands.
He said sorcery had no place in modern society.