By Esnart Chingwalu

University of Malawi (Unima) law professor Edge Kanyongolo has called on authorities to provide stiff punishment to perpetrators of mob justice. 

This follows the gruesome murder of a 12-year-old canoe operator by angry community members in Chikwawa District following the sinking of a canoe in the Shire River on Tuesday.

The boy, who survived the incident, was accused of killing the five people who were on board the canoe through witchcraft.

Speaking to YONECO Online, Kanyongolo, said stiffer punishments can act as a warning to other would-be offenders.

He also appealed to authorities to make sure they are on the forefront to condemn witchcraft beliefs which are killing innocent people in the country.

“The death of this boy  should be a lesson to people who defend beliefs in witchcrafts in the country and also they should consider the consequences of such issues to the society,” said Kanyongolo.

He also pleaded with law enforcers to act with speed on cases of witch craft.

“A delay to act fast to cases of witchcraft is a big problem which mostly lead to mob justice activities hence a call should go the law enforcers to ensure they act with high speed on these cases,” said Kanyongolo.