The Enga Governor has appealed to his province, and the many educated Engans across PNG, to help stamp out the practice of accusing people of sorcery and torturing and murdering innocent people.
Sir Peter Ipatas says: “This week alone there have been two more incidents of sanguma accusations in Enga Province and more than 20 innocent women, within the space of a month, have been victims of this accusation based violence, including a young child who was tortured near Sirunki.
“I condemn this violence and these false accusations. The accusations must stop now.
“The torturing and murdering must stop now. Enough is enough.”
Sir Peter says accusing someone of sorcery is against the law of PNG, including the torture and murder based on such accusations.
“Those who point a finger and claim that a person is sanguma are committing a crime against the State of Papua New Guinea,” states the Governor.
“The belief in sanguma is not part of our law, our faith or our culture.
“We the people of Enga pride ourselves in having the most educated population in the nation.
“We are smart enough to realise that this is an imported and false belief that is only hurting our people and our communities.
“I appeal to our educated, elite Engans to join this fight to end this violence that is claiming innocent lives.
“Speak to your families, clans and village people. Inform them of the law of our country that accusation based violence is a crime punishable by death.”
Sir Peter further calls on communities to cooperate with police and help restore law and order.
(Loop file pic)