The number of advocates against sorcery related violence is increasing
A woman who was accused of sorcery was saved by the Mt Hagen police and a group of advocates against sorcery related violence.
(By the Post Courier)
Josephine Titus from Kandep in the Enga Province was severely tortured for three hours by locals in the Wagbel area of the Komkui tribe before she was rescued on Sunday morning.
Pastor and magistrate Gabriel Bak from Komkui, who graduated last week from a training to be advocates against sorcery related violence, immediately responded and warned the youths not to torture her and reported the matter to police. According to a local leader, Josephine was caught by youths at 3am near a cemetery of a young leader and teacher who was buried on Saturday. The leader said she was at the wrong time at the wrong place.
She was severely burnt with hot iron rods and bush knives all over her body, including her private parts. Sergeant Susan Mondia, who was at the scene, said the matter was reported to the criminal investigation division. She was admitted at the Mt Hagen General Hospital and is currently receiving treatment. Josephine’s brother, Issac Titus was surprised and shocked to hear about the incident and denied any allegation of her sister performing sorcery. He said Josephine stays in Pore near Mt Ambra, about 30 minutes drive north of Mt Hagen, but how she was caught there near Warakum is yet to be known.
Meanwhile, the victim could not give any details of the incident as she was in severe pain and traumatised. She thanked the police for their quick response and acknowledged the assistance of the advocates against sorcery related violence. The advocates against sorcery related violence are people living in the Mt Hagen watching out for sorcery related issues. They have been trained by the Seeds Theater Group in partnership with the Catholic Archdiocese of Mt Hagen with funding support from the embassy of Canada.
From “Stop Sorcery Violence” we want to highlights the work of these advocates and all the individuals and organisations supporting initiatives to fight against sorcery and witchcraft related violence. We wish Josephine a speedy recovery and hope her case is prosecuted and the perpetrators held accountable for the physical and emotional damages they caused her.
