By Kimena Nuhu
April 8,2015
Seven
people accused of witchcraft have been burned alive in Tanzania. Twenty-three
people have been arrested in connection with the crimes, police said on Friday.
“They
were attacked and burnt to death by a mob of villagers who accused them of
engaging in witchcraft,” said police chief Jafari Mohamed.
Five
of those killed were aged over 60, while the other two were aged over 40. Among
those arrested on suspicion of carrying out the killings was the local
traditional healer, or witch doctor.
Relatives
of those killed described horrific scenes, with the bodies of family members
hacked with machetes or burned almost beyond recognition.
The
attack in the village of Murufiti, in the western Kigoma region which borders
Burundi, took place on Monday but reports only emerged after police announced
the arrest of the suspects. Thesuspects will appear in court to face murder
charges. By Kimena Nuhu
