The price of sorcery killing is death, 9-Mile accused told

By Alphonse Porau
THE penalty for killing a person accused of practising sorcery is death, says a magistrate.
Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Dessie Magaru made the statement in court yesterday in front of eight people charged with the attempted murder of Margaret Siba at 9-Mile in Port Moresby a week ago.
They are Almen Sana, 25; Pagume Jethro, 20; Morris Alla, 27; Mani Koi, 30; Kenneth Philip, 20; Iso Birame, 30; Janet Alla, 28; and Nancy Allan, 29, all from Eastern Highlands.
They had suspected Siba of practising sorcery.
Magaru said the offence was serious and under the new law it was punishable by death.
She said it had been a common practice in the Highlands but was now happening in the National Capital District in which innocent people accused of sorcery were being tortured and killed.
“The new law states that those who are found guilty of accusing and killing a person suspected of practising sorcery will be put to death,” Magaru said.
“Just put that at the back of your mind.
“I am just letting you know that the new law is now in place.
“If you want to kill someone for practising sorcery, you will bring death upon yourself,” she said.
Magaru refused bail.
The case returns on Jan 19.