By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, August 28, Mana: Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese of the Catholic Church has warned beneficiaries on any project under his diocese to desist from harassing and killing children and the elderly accused of being witches.

He warned that any beneficiary involved in such acts would be kicked out of the project.

Bishop Mtumbuka made the warning on Wednesday at Chipwera primary school ground during the launch of the Integrated Support for Orphans, Vulnerable Children and Youth (IOVCY) II Project, which is being implemented by Lusubilo Community Care funded by Coppel Family and technical assistance from the Catholic Relief Services.

Bishop Mtumbuka said that the overall idea of the project is to help the beneficiaries look after themselves in terms of food security, paying school fees for children and other basic needs.

“We cannot go to a particular family to assist them because they are vulnerable. They have no food, no shelter, no water and we give them these things. And after they have eaten and drunk that water they go and burn somebody's house that has been built by the project,” he said.

Bishop Mtumbuka then disclosed that all those who have to benefit will have to sign a Memorandum of Understanding so that they are aware.

Senior Chief Mwenemisuku assured the Karonga Diocese that he would sensitize his subjects on the evils of accusing someone of being a witch.

Senior Chief Mwenemisuku then applauded Karonga Diocese for implementing various projects in his area, which he said has transformed the lives of many households.

“Lusubilo Community Care has assisted us with six boreholes under the first phase of the project and we look forward to benefiting more from the project,” he said.

Programmes Manager for Lusubilo, Kondwani Kapombe Nyasulu said that they expect a lot of changes in the lives of people because this being the second phase, they have learned several ways on how best the organization can be able to implement interventions targeting the communities.

Chitipa District Council Vice Chairperson, Webster Sinkhonde cited the transformation of Chisankhwa and Nthalire areas as sub-urban areas because of various developments the Catholic Church has brought in Chitipa district.