FOUR members of the same family in Mansa are on the run for allegedly forcing a 16-year-old girl to sleep with her brotherin-law as a way of cleansing him after his wife’s death. Luapula Province commissioner of police Elias Chushi, who withheld the names of the suspects, said among them is the victim’s mother, grandmother and uncle.

Mr Chushi said the victim’s elder sister died last month and, as a way of cleansing her husband, the trio forced the juvenile to sleep with him. He said the incident happened on Saturday around 19:00 hours in Chief Chimense’s area. “The trio forced their daughter to sleep with her brother-in-law after her sister died so as to cleanse him, but immediately after the act, the victim reported the matter to the police,” he said. Mr Chushi said police are searching for the four suspects.

And Muchinga Province Commissioner of Police Joel Njase has warned people hiring suspected thugs to mete out punishment on the elderly on suspicion of practising witchcraft to stop the habit. Mr Njase’s caution comes after a 95-year-old man was shot dead using a muzzle loader on Wednesday in Isoka district.

“As police command, we wish to advise the public and warn those involved in this business to stop forthwith. Every person is deemed innocent until proven otherwise by our competent courts of law,” Mr Njase said. He said police are also aware that most crimes are being instigated by close family members. Mr Njase appealed to traditional leaders and all stakeholders to help deal with the societal problem. A 95-year- old man of Isoka was shot dead by unknown people on Wednesday on suspicion that he was practising witchcraft.

Mr Njase said the incident happened between 01:00 hours and 02:00 hours at Kampumbu village in Chief Kafwimbi’s area. And a mother and her daughter of Chief Munkanta’s area in Kawambwa have allegedly beaten their parent to death on suspicion of practising witchcraft. lreen Mpundu, 42, and her daughter Sharon Mubanga, 27, beat to death Webby Mwengula, 75, father of Mpundu who they accused of being a wizard. Mr Chushi said the suspects are on the run and police are searching for them