"Devout Christians" Kill Children as Part of Exorcism
It was on March 29 of this year when residents of Bangwe township in Blantyre, Malawi learned that two local women had allegedly burned two children to death to exorcise them of witchcraft demons. Agnes Kamanga Gadama, and her sister Catherine Kamanga reportedly suspected that Gadama's two children had been possessed by demons because "some neighbors were teaching them witchcraft"
After a week of continuous prayers and fasting with the two children in an enclosed room, 9 year old Yankho and 6 year old Martin Gadama were found dead by police investigating the ritual. The two children had been locked inside the family home along with two other children while Gadama and her sister lit a fire that engulfed the building in smoke to drive away demons.
Both suspects were devoted members of the Namiyango Assemblies of God and had reported the suspected witchcraft incident to the congregation. Representatives of the church group have expressed disbelief that the two women could have killed the children.
When asked to comment on the case, Limbe Police public relations officer Chifundo Chibwezo said the two women are expected to go to Zomba Mental Hospital for examination. “They are now being kept at Chichiri Prison but they are expected to go to the mental hospital to find out if they have mental disorders or not. I cannot comment much since the case is now in the hands of the court. The two women were charged with murder for causing death, contrary to section 209 of the Penal Code,” said Chibwezo.
The two surviving children are staying with their grandparents.
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