Witchcraft Myths and Mental Health Ignorance Behind Deadly Attacks on Elderly in KZN
A disturbing rise in attacks on the elderly in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is being driven by a dangerous combination of mental health misconceptions and persistent witchcraft superstitions. These unfounded beliefs are contributing to a series of brutal killings targeting vulnerable individuals.
In the latest tragedy, four people from two families, living just 100 meters apart in Mbuba, Matimatolo, near Greytown, were shot dead. The victims included three women, aged 70, 60, and 33, as well as a six-year-old child.
Local Inkosi Mpendulo Cele has linked the attack to accusations of witchcraft, which often serve as a justification for violence against the elderly. This follows a similar case in which three individuals were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 65-year-old Fikile Msimango and her 28-year-old daughter Nkosi. The two women were assaulted and set alight in a horrific act fueled by witchcraft claims.
The pattern of these violent acts highlights the urgent need for better education around mental health and the dangerous consequences of witchcraft beliefs in communities.
