Man wants justice for death of grandma

BY JAMIE HARO
THE grandson of an elderly woman killed over sorcery accusations in Gulf recently has described it as an “inhumane act” which must be stopped.
Matayalio Taikam, in her late 70s, was accused of practising sorcery after a seven-year-old girl passed away at Yoko village in Kaintiba.
Her grandson Braxstone Yansom described what happened to her as a “very inhumane act”.
“We want justice for our grandmother. This has to be the first and last to happen in the province.
“My grandmother was accused of killing my cousin’s seven-year-old daughter through sorcery.”
According to a family spokesman, the incident happened around 4am on Oct 15.
When the child got sick, her relatives went to Taikam’s house and forced her to admit practising sorcery.
“They returned to their homes. But at around 6am when the child passed away, they returned to my grandmother’s hut and threatened to (hurt) her.”
Taikam’s relatives came to her rescue.
The little girl’s relatives in another village heard of her death and sought revenge.
Yansom said the girl’s uncle beat up Taikam and dragged her out of her home.
“Our relatives tried to stop him, but he swung a knife at them. He cut her hand off while she was trying to defend herself.”
The second time the man swung the knife, it chopped off Taikam’s head.
“An old woman was killed based on sorcery accusations. It is an evil act that must stop,” Yansom added.