Rescued from torture

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
AN elderly woman was rescued by police in Konedobu, Port Moresby, after she was tortured for two days by angry relatives who alleged she had caused the death of her own son.
The incident comes four days after National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop gave K50,000 to police to help them with investigations into the torture of five women in Kagua, Southern Highlands, recently.
This is the fourth sorcery allegation to be investigated by police in Port Moresby, with the other cases reported at 5-Mile, 2-Mile and Hohola last year.
The elderly woman from Chuave, Chimbu, was kept bound and tortured and forced to admit that she was guilty of the accusation at Konedobu in a settlement known as Newtown.
Police Commissioner David Manning confirmed that his office was alerted to the plight of the woman by the Tribal Foundation.
“The message was relayed to the office of the NCD/Central command who tasked the unit of Fox 203 to respond,” he said.
“I have been told the woman has been rescued and is now in the care of others, with police investigating the case.”
NCD/Central Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Anthony Wagambie Jr condemned the ill-treatment of the woman.
“The bruised and distraught victim was allegedly beaten and held captive for over two days,” he said.
“My office issued the instructions when we were told of the hostage situation, and Fox unit 203 was dispatched.”
Wagambie said: “We cannot allow this sick culture to take root in this city.
“If you beat up and deprive the rights and liberty of a person; the law will deal with you.
“Port Moresby is a metropolitan city inhabited by a multi-racial community.
“Whatever beliefs there are, this should not be happening in this day and age, especially in a metropolitan city.”
Wagambie said law enforcement agencies would have to work together and undertake a massive awareness on sorcery-related violence and killings to educate the masses, and remind them about the consequences.
According to relatives of the deceased and his mother, the family home was destroyed by angry neighbours of Newtown.
From the cases of sorcery allegations reported in NCD, no one has been arrested in connection to the tortures.
Police are continuing their investigations.