MOTHER OF TWO BURNT TO DEATH FOR ALLEGED WICTHCRAFT

20-year-old mother of two, Kepari Leniata, was burnt to death in a village, Paiala, in the highlands of Papua New Guinea on suspicion of being a witch. She was dragged from her hut, stripped naked, tortured with hot iron rods and then dragged to a local rubbish dump. Her attackers/accusers then tied up her hands and legs and doused her in petrol before setting her ablaze.

Her agonies started on Tuesday when  her neigbour's son fell ill, complaining of stomach and chest pain. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. The relatives of the boy suspected witchcraft and accused Leniata and another woman of killing the boy. They admitted practising sorcery but had nothing to do with the boy's death. The boy's relatives went to her hut at 7am on Wednesday, stripped her and dragged her away to torture and death.  Police who rushed to the area were turned back by the angry crowd but were able to rescue the other woman.

Many in that area believe that witchcraft exists and sorcery is used to kill enemies. The head bishop of a Lutheran Church located in the district today condemned the killing.