DailyPost Administrator posted on March 08, 2010 18:42
The brutal killing of two Maewo brothers in Ambae could have been authorized by chiefs in the northern part of Maewo in their bid to crack down on sorcery practitioners whose alleged ‘actions’ are hampering development prospects in their area.
A Penama Provincial government councilor, who went to Maewo not long after the killing of the two men that fled to Ambae after they allegedly used sorcery to threaten the lives of government workers and teachers posted in the area, said a meeting involving high chiefs and leaders of Maewo will soon be summoned.
It is alleged that the two brothers were “being paid” by other people to terrorize the lives even to the extent of allegedly killing successful Maewo people as well as government workers with nakaemas.
During the meeting all should be revealed.
The councilor said it is now common knowledge on Maewo that the brothers were being used by people to get rid of their peers and currently there are investigations into an amount of money that was reportedly paid to one of the deceased’s bank account.
In a conversation with a member of the North Maewo council of chiefs who was here for the 2nd Arts Festival in 2009 he said the council of chiefs has resolved that the only way to attract development in Maewo is to change people’s perception about the people from that island.
A first step the council did was to “bring back” all the Maewo traditional doctors who had been “working” in Luganville and Port Vila but do not have the credentials to operate as kleva according to the council of chiefs’ criteria of ‘kleva’ back to the islands.
And they promised to clamp down on people who allegedly use “posen” in their island. They argue that while other islands of Vanuatu have developed, it’s the sorcery practices in their island that make would be investors afraid and development opportunities impossible.
The two Maewo brothers that were killed on Ambae were accused of using nakaemas to kill two teachers at Gambule Junior Secondary school even though it was alleged to Daily Post the number of victims could have been more than 10.
But these allegations are very hard to prove as it involves supernatural forces.
Meanwhile, Police are questioning the people who murdered the two brothers in Ambae and should soon press charges. Police investigations too may shed light on whether the chiefs were behind the order to have the men killed.
Daily Post however understands that one of the likely charges that the Maewo men who were seen by witnesses on Ambae killing the two brothers is intentional homicide - no person shall by any unlawful act or omission intentionally cause the death of another person.
The penalty is 20 years in jail or imprisonment for life.
- Ricky Binihi