The Police have warned the public to refrain from accusing others of practising witchcraft, stating that such actions are liable to conviction.

The Community Policing Sub-Division in the |Khomas Region has since last March attended to eleven complaint cases related to witchcraft.

|Khomas Police Spokesperson Silas Shipandeni says under the Witchcraft Suppression Proclamation 27 of 1933, anyone found guilty in a civil court of accusing others of being witches, wizards or otherwise without proof faces a fine or up to five years in prison.

He says the police currently have many cases of people accused of witchcraft, which sometimes causes societal unrest as such individuals are forced to live in isolation.

"I want to state that we have dealt with cases, including those where individuals were fined by a court of law, not just accusations. It's about even applying certain things that one believes, apparently, to help somebody to heal, which can be sometimes poisonous. And then obviously, if we are able to establish that through our investigation, of course, we take the matter before court, and the court will determine the issue of witchcraft accusations. It's dividing our community."

Shipandeni says anyone found professing knowledge of witchcraft or charms, advising a person on how to injure persons, animals or other property, or supplying a person with the pretended means of witchcraft will be charged.

"When you are accused, you have two paths you can take. Obviously, approach the police, who will listen to you and help solve the problem. Also, we can intervene in that way. But if we feel that what you are bringing before us amounts to criminal activity or involves criminal elements, we will definitely advise you to open a case, and the case will be investigated. It will be taken before the court of law, but again, if we feel it is more civil in nature, then we advise you to approach your legal team or court."