- About 50 people died after being forced to drink a herbal poison
- They were forced to prove that they were not wizards
- Politicians accused traditional healers of making the deadly herbal potion
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About 50 people have died in Angola after being forced to drink a herbal potion to prove they were not sorcerers, police and local officials said Thursday.
The deaths occurred between January and February near the central city of Camacupa, according to Luzia Filemone, a local council member.
Speaking to the national radio station, she accused traditional healers of administering the deadly concoction.
“More than 50 victims were forced to drink this mysterious liquid which, according to traditional healers, proves whether a person is practicing witchcraft or not,” Filemone said.
Belief in witchcraft is still common in some rural areas, despite strong opposition from the church in the predominantly Catholic former Portuguese colony.
Around 50 people have died in Angola after being forced to drink a herbal potion to prove they were not sorcerers (file photo)
Angola does not have laws against witchcraft, leaving communities to deal with the problem as they see fit
The deaths were confirmed by police, who said 50 people were killed.
“It is a widespread practice to make people drink the supposed poison because of the belief in witchcraft,” provincial police spokesman Antonio Hossi told the broadcaster, warning that cases are on the rise.
Angola does not have laws against witchcraft, leaving communities to deal with the problem as they see fit.
Accusations of witchcraft are often settled by traditional healers or ‘marabouts’ by having the accused drink a poisonous herbal drink called ‘Mbulungo’. Death is believed to prove guilt.