Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of the Karonga Diocese of the Catholic Church has issued a stern warning to beneficiaries of any projects within his jurisdiction to refrain from harassing or killing the elderly based on witchcraft accusations.

He made this statement on Saturday at Chipwera Primary School in Chitipa District during the launch of the Integrated Support for Orphans, Vulnerable Children, and Youth II Project. The project, which is supported by the Coppel Family and facilitated by Lusubilo Community Care with technical assistance from Catholic Relief Services, aims to empower beneficiaries by providing food, paying school fees, and supplying other basic necessities.

Bishop Mtumbuka emphasized that it is unacceptable for beneficiaries to harm others after receiving support. “We cannot provide assistance to a family because they lack food, shelter, or water and then see them use the resources to burn down someone’s house built by the project,” he stated.

To prevent such incidents, he announced that beneficiaries would be required to sign a memorandum of understanding pledging not to attack the elderly.

Senior Chief Mwenemisuku assured the diocese that he would educate his community about the dangers of targeting the elderly. He praised the diocese for its various initiatives that have improved lives in his area, noting that “Lusubilo Community Care drilled six boreholes in the first phase of the project, and we look forward to further benefits.”

Kondwani Kapombe Nyasulu, the programs manager for Lusubilo Community Care, said the second phase of the project would continue to enhance people’s livelihoods.

Webster Sinkhonde, vice-chairperson of the Chitipa District Council, highlighted the transformation of Chisankhwa and Nthalire into suburban areas due to the church’s development efforts.