Warning on sorcery accusation

By JAMES GUMUNO
THE Mt Hagen District Court warned a leader from Tambul, Western Highlands, not to accuse an innocent woman of sorcery.
Magistrate Lydia Karre told Simbel Koglwa yesterday that many innocent people were killed because of false sorcery accusation.
“Sorcery accusation is a big issue in the country where many people have lost their lives and Koglwa, as a leader in the community, should lead by example,” she said.
Karre said this yesterday when quashing an appeal by Koglwa over his claims that Shabet Paul was a sorcerer.
The Tinsbail village court in Tambul district ordered Koglwa and his two friends, Paul Wisi, and Pus Sumul to compensate Paul K800 and pay K200 court fine for accusing her of being a sorcerer.
The village court sitting presided by chairman Jack Monda, his deputy Kundi Wangi, magistrates Onn Peke, Supra Punga, Jacob Aldpai, Bakoraim Kai, women’s representative Lucy Jacob and clerk Peter Koime ordered the three men to pay Paul.
Koglwa, who was not happy, appealed the decision of the village court but the district court found that there was nothing wrong and upheld the decision of the village court and dismissed the appeal.
Karre told Koglwa and his friends not to accuse Paul of sorcery again.
She said that “sorcery or sanguma” was just a belief and there was no evidence to prove it.
“If you believe that someone is a sorcerer then keep it to yourself and never say it out in public,” Karre said.
She said that it was against the law to call someone a sorcerer.