"Witch doctor" arrested for duping, raping TEN victims

MALAWI: Police at Kawale Police Station have arrested a 62-year-old witch doctor for allegedly committing theft by tricking and raping ten clients with various health issues, writes Kawale Police Station PRO, Sub Inspector Mabvuto Phiri.

Police have identified the suspect as Action Sungambewu.

According to reports, the suspect pretended to be a witch doctor who heals pile (Likango) disease and has the ability to multiply money.

This, however, drew the attention of many people, including the victims, who flocked to his shrine to seek assistance.

During the process, a woman with the same problem (name withheld) went to seek help from the witch doctor, where she was told that cash payment was required for the service and that sexual intercourse was also involved as a ritual.

After noticing that her problems had not improved, she reported the incident to Area 23 Police Unit, where detectives rushed to his home and arrested him.

During the arrest, the suspect was discovered confronting 11 other clients who had also been duped.

It is also reported that many women seek his assistance, demanding money in exchange for the service and that he has been instructing them to have sex with him as a ritual for the effective functioning of his juju, to which many have happily agreed.

Sungambeu has allegedly stolen nearly K850,000.00 from various clients and raped ten of them.

He is scheduled to appear in court soon to answer charges of theft by deception and rape.

Sungambeu is from Nampeya in Machinga district's Traditional Authority Chikweu.