In Thyolo, the court today ordered two women to pay a fine of K50,000 each or face two years in prison for accusing another woman of being a witch.

The court heard through the prosecutor, Felix Senzani, that Angela Kazembe, aged 21, and Sungeni Kazembe, aged 35, suspected a woman of practicing witchcraft.

The two, who come from the village of Mangazi, in the Chiefdom of Chimaliro, said they found the woman hanging around her house in the evening and started spreading the word that she was a witch.

Afterward, the woman reported the matter to the Goliat Police Station, and the couple was arrested.

They pleaded guilty in court but asked the court to show them mercy, citing their responsibility for taking care of their families.

However, Mr. Senzani argued that the court should not show leniency, emphasizing that people are being killed due to such accusations.

The judge, Mr. James Balakasi, agreed with this point and handed the sentence to the two women.