80-year-old woman accused of witchcraft burned alive
Four suspects aged between 22 and 44 are behind bars in connection with the alleged murder of an 80-year-old woman who was burned alive at Mbuzini.
The woman was hacked with a hoe and locked in her house before being set alight on Saturday, said Brig Leonard Hlathi. In his statement, Hlathi said the victim was accused of practising witchcraft.
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The Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Mondli Zuma, condemned the incident. “It is disheartening that the elderly community often suffer such accusations from sections of the society.”
He strongly warned people to refrain from such actions.
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As a result of this, Zuma has directed the police to work tirelessly to ensure that those arrested face the full might of the law.
The suspects are expected to make their first appearance in the Tonga Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. According to the police, other suspects are still at large and more arrests are imminent.
