By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, January 14, Mana: Police in Chitipa District have launched a manhunt for unknown assailants who have killed Group Village Head (GVH) Mwanyanja of Traditional Authority Nthalire in the district.

Chitipa Police spokesperson Sub-Inspector Gladwell Simwaka said GVH Mwanyanja (real name Mapuzi Kaonga), aged 65, was found dead along an earth road within the village on Sunday.

Simwaka said that a post-mortem conducted at Nthalire Health Centre showed that death was due to severe loss of blood secondary to multiple cuts sustained in the head.

“Reasons behind his killing are not yet known. However, it is believed that people in the area suspected the deceased of being a witch,” Simwaka explained.

He further said that GVH Mwanyanja attended a funeral (where he was accused of being the one who caused the death) in his village a day before being found dead.

“We have launched a manhunt for the assailants. If found, they will be charged with murder, which is contrary to section 209 of the penal code,” Simwaka said.

He warned the public against killing innocent people on mere witchcraft accusations and added that the law will take its course on anyone involved in the killing.