It's amazing how every day, there are news stories that remind us that fears of witchcraft still exist in various parts of the world. It was reported today that police in Africa's Mashonaland Central Province have warned healers that they risk being arrested for inciting witch hunts. There have been a number of recent assaults and murders against alleged witches, often accused by healers.
In one incident, a woman was allegedly found with a three foot snake in her blankets at the height of a witch-hunting ceremony. In another hunt, a woman is alleged to have murdered her grandson and removed his hands and intestines for purposes of witchcraft, which she supposedly admitted to.
A recent Reuters story reports that children born in Northern Benin, Africa, in an unnatural manner - anything deviating from head-first and upwards - are considered to be witches or sorcerers by the tribe, and tradition demands the infant be given to a "fixer." The fixer ties a rope around the child's feet, walks round a tree, then dashes its head against the trunk.
And while Australia is repealing a 200 year old law against witchcraft, the Chhattisgarh government of Raipur, India, will soon be making witchcraft a non-bailable offense. Admitted witches will be subject to a year in prison and a fine. This legislature is meant to curb the harrassment that frequently that occurs to accused witches.
-The Harare Herald: Healers Warned Against Witch-Hunting
-Stuff.co.nz: Australia state to repeal anti-witchcraft law
-The Telegraph: Witchcraft Law To Protect Women
-Reuters: Fears of witchcraft lead to widespread infanticide in remote north
