Man denied bail after selling deadly 'traditional medicine'
A 45-year-old traditional healer who was arrested last week following the deaths of two clients has been denied bail.
It is alleged that the victims died after ingesting a traditional medicine he had prepared for them that they were told would cleanse them of bad luck and evil spirits.
The accused, Mberema Andrew Hausiku, appeared in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Friday after he was charged with two counts of murder, attempted murder and contravention of the Witchcraft Suppression Act.
The matter was remanded to 25 August for legal aid and continued police investigations.
Home-made remedy
According to the police, the incident took place on Wednesday at Kandjara village in Kavango East Region between 09:00 and 14:00.
The suspect, who is a school janitor, sold the substance to six women.
"It's alleged that the suspect administered a concoction believed to be medicine to six women. It's further alleged that the suspect was approached by the victims at Kandjara village to be treated for bad luck and to take out evil spirits. The suspect then allegedly provided mixed, pounded traditional medicine," a police report read.
The victims were identified as Shiremo Josefine Namutenya (27) and Linyando Shikonga (30).
According to a preliminary police report, the two deceased developed stomach aches and collapsed.
Prior to their deaths, both victims complained of diarrhoea and were vomiting as well.
Meanwhile, the four surviving women were all taken to Nyangana Catholic Hospital – two were treated and released, while the other two were admitted.
The suspect initially fled from police after learning about the deaths. Hours later, he handed himself over at the Ndiyona police station, where he is currently detained.
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It is alleged that the victims died after ingesting a traditional medicine he had prepared for them that they were told would cleanse them of bad luck and evil spirits.
The accused, Mberema Andrew Hausiku, appeared in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Friday after he was charged with two counts of murder, attempted murder and contravention of the Witchcraft Suppression Act.
The matter was remanded to 25 August for legal aid and continued police investigations.
Home-made remedy
According to the police, the incident took place on Wednesday at Kandjara village in Kavango East Region between 09:00 and 14:00.
The suspect, who is a school janitor, sold the substance to six women.
"It's alleged that the suspect administered a concoction believed to be medicine to six women. It's further alleged that the suspect was approached by the victims at Kandjara village to be treated for bad luck and to take out evil spirits. The suspect then allegedly provided mixed, pounded traditional medicine," a police report read.
The victims were identified as Shiremo Josefine Namutenya (27) and Linyando Shikonga (30).
According to a preliminary police report, the two deceased developed stomach aches and collapsed.
Prior to their deaths, both victims complained of diarrhoea and were vomiting as well.
Meanwhile, the four surviving women were all taken to Nyangana Catholic Hospital – two were treated and released, while the other two were admitted.
The suspect initially fled from police after learning about the deaths. Hours later, he handed himself over at the Ndiyona police station, where he is currently detained.
[email protected]
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