Police at Jenda in Mzimba have apprehended Village headman Ziyamuka Laywell Mkandawire 68, his brother Sailota Mkandawire 52 and another person for accusing their brother Fredrick Mkandawire 56, of practicing witchcraft in the district.

The arrest follows an intelligence driven operation that was carried out by Police detectives during the night of September 13, 2024 at Chizuwe area under Traditional Authority Mzukuzuku.

It has been established that around June this year the wife of Sailota Mkandawire fell sick and was taken to a witch doctor where she died while being administered to local medicine.

After the burial rumours ensured that it was Fredrick Mkandawire, his brother, who had killed his wife through magic.

In the same month the village headman, his bother and another person from the village forced Fredrick Mkandawire and his wife to a witch doctor known as Pereka Chirwa at Hoho for a trial by ordeal.

Whilst at the witch doctor the family was ordered to pay K608, 000 after confirming that they had a hand in the death of the wife to Sailota Makandawire.

The family was also forced to sell their land and they were later banished from the village.

Other well-wishers reported the issue to Police leading to the arrest of the village headman and two others.

The witch doctor has however, run away after getting the wind that he is wanted by the Police.

The three suspects have been charged with charging a person with witch craft, employment of a witch finder and being present at a trial by ordeal which are against the witch craft Act.

They will be taken to court upon completion of paper work to answer their charges.

All the three suspects come from Ziyamuka village, Traditional Authority Mzukuzuku in Mzimba district.