By: Dorica Mtenje
LILONGWE (Maravipost): 18 elderly people in Malawi have been killed from January to date in line with witchcraft.
This was revealed after Member of Parliament for Zomba Lisanjala, William Susuwe Banda, asked the minister of Gender to explain why the elderly are being tortured, called names, and old.
Concurring with Banda, Member of Parliament for Machinga East Ester Jolobala said there is a need for the government to gazette the bill that should protect older persons. It has to be operational.
Zomba Malosa Member Grace Mkwelepeta has called upon the government to intervene in helping Mai Mbambande work, which she is helping over 100 elderly.
“The girl is not yet 25 but she is helping alot of older person with her own initiative it’s high time that government need to intervene in her situation with funding,”said Mkwelepeta.
In her response, Minister of Gender Jean Sendeza said several factors contribute to the older persons” unfortunate situations, including g a lack of knowledge by some communities that constitute violence against elderly persons.
She said the older person’s acts will be gazetted shortly and will provide guidance whenever there is an incident of abuse or any other violation of the rights of older persons.
She has appealed to the August House to help in sensitizing the constituency on the evil of abusing and killing order persons who happen to be our parents, grandparents, and relatives.
Meanwhile government will be giving 18,000 per month to 1066 order persons.
