Residents to protest over ‘muti killers’

RESIDENTS at Katima Mulilo plan to stage a peaceful demonstration on Friday to register their dissatisfaction over what they allege is Police reluctance to apprehend people implicated in ritual killings.

They are angered by new claims of another “muti-related” attack, a few days after a 42-year-old Zambian national had his private parts severely mutilated when three men allegedly tried to harvest his genitals for ritual purposes. The three accused, who have already appeared in court on charges of attempted murder, allegedly implicated a prominent local businessman, but the Police have yet to take action “due to lack of evidence”.”We are not happy, our people are killed for muti (traditional medicine) and every time prominent businessmen are implicated but nothing happens to them…we want the law start taking its course,” said an angry member of the public who preferred to remain anonymous.In the latest incident, two businessmen allegedly tried to attack a security guard at Katima Mulilo on Saturday evening “for failing to deliver organs they paid for in November last year”.According to sources and members of the security guard’s family, the businessmen followed the man to business premises he was guarding to demand “the dues”.They allegedly became upset when he informed them that he had difficulties getting a person to kill.The guard offered to pay back the money at the end of February, but one of the businessmen allegedly jumped out of the car, grabbed him and threatened to get the private parts from him.”He (the guard) managed to free himself, ran away and reported the incident to family members,” a man, who identified himself as the security guard’s cousin, told The Namibian yesterday.He said the family had not yet laid a charge as they first wanted to meet the Indian businessmen, as they are known to them.Members of the community allege that the Police are reluctant to investigate the muti-related killings “because some senior officers might be taking bribes from the implicated business people”.But Police Regional Commander for Caprivi, Chief Inspector Hieronymus Goraseb said his officers found it difficult to investigate such cases, especially if no one was prepared to come forward.”If members of the public have information they should not keep it to themselves and then accuse the police, they should share with us,” Goraseb said.The three accused, who have already appeared in court on charges of attempted murder, allegedly implicated a prominent local businessman, but the Police have yet to take action “due to lack of evidence”. “We are not happy, our people are killed for muti (traditional medicine) and every time prominent businessmen are implicated but nothing happens to them…we want the law start taking its course,” said an angry member of the public who preferred to remain anonymous. In the latest incident, two businessmen allegedly tried to attack a security guard at Katima Mulilo on Saturday evening “for failing to deliver organs they paid for in November last year”. According to sources and members of the security guard’s family, the businessmen followed the man to business premises he was guarding to demand “the dues”. They allegedly became upset when he informed them that he had difficulties getting a person to kill. The guard offered to pay back the money at the end of February, but one of the businessmen allegedly jumped out of the car, grabbed him and threatened to get the private parts from him. “He (the guard) managed to free himself, ran away and reported the incident to family members,” a man, who identified himself as the security guard’s cousin, told The Namibian yesterday. He said the family had not yet laid a charge as they first wanted to meet the Indian businessmen, as they are known to them. Members of the community allege that the Police are reluctant to investigate the muti-related killings “because some senior officers might be taking bribes from the implicated business people”. But Police Regional Commander for Caprivi, Chief Inspector Hieronymus Goraseb said his officers found it difficult to investigate such cases, especially if no one was prepared to come forward. “If members of the public have information they should not keep it to themselves and then accuse the police, they should share with us,” Goraseb said.