The Special Law Commission on the Review of Witchcraft Act has acknowledged the existence of witchcraft in the country.

According to the Commission’s Chairperson Justice Robert Chinangwa, most Malawians believe that witchcraft is a reality not a myth.

He said: “The current Witchcraft Act which was enacted in 1911 it didn’t recognise the existence of witchcraft
But through our investigations and research many Malawians throughout the country many Malawians believe that it`s not just a myth but a reality, there is witchcraft and witchcraft has been there, changes.”

Justice Chinangwa has since recommended the review of the colonial Witchcraft Act of 1911 to accommodate modern views of how Malawians understand the act.

“Changes will be there, because now we recognise that witchcraft exists and like in the past witchcraft did not exist.
And then it gives more task to the court even the prosecutor to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt that the offence was committed and this particular person is going to be convicted or otherwise,” said Justice Chinangwa.

The Commission is proposing penalties of a ten-year maximum jail sentence and that where there is murder the court should have discretion of ruling either death sentence or a term of service.