Son fears for tortured mum

By DAPHNE WANI
THE son of a 50-year-old woman from Chimbu who was tortured in Port Moresby last month following allegations of sorcery told a court that he was uncertain of his mother’s safety.
Steven Sipa told the Bomana District Court, outside Port Moresby, yesterday that his mother, Margret Sipa, was still “traumatised and “in a wheel chair”.
Steven told Deputy Chief Magistrate Dessie Magaru that for the victim’s safety, bail should be refused for the eight defendants charged with attempted murder of his mother.
He said it’s difficult to assume if safety or the security of his mother would be guaranteed.
The defendants are Morris Alla, Mani Koi, Kenneth Phillip, Iso Birame, Alman Sana, Dugume Jethro , Janeth Alla and Nancy Allan, all from Marawaka in Obura-Wonenara district in Eastern Highlands.
The victim was discharged from hospital last Wednesday and living with relatives at Morata.
The victim and her husband’s house at 8-Mile was burnt to ashes by the defendants following the incident of torture.
Peter Mal, a community leader at Morata, told the court that in the best interest of the victim, bail should not be allowed until the completion of the case.
Mathias Sipa, husband of the victim, said the situation was calm but he did not know if his wife would be attacked again.
Magistrate Magaru was unable to make a ruling yesterday and adjourned the case to next week.
She ordered the defendants to bring two guarantors to explain the safety of the victim.
Bail was refused and the defendants all remain in custody.