Lion attacks spark 'witch' killings
From correspondents in Mozambique
06may03

ANGRY villagers in Mozambique have killed a dozen people suspected of being witches after a killing spree by man-eating lions, police said.

A spokesman told Radio Mozambique lions had devoured 20 victims, including women, in northern Cabo Delgado province over the past four months.
Villagers believed the lions to be witches who had taken on the form of the carnivores, he said.

They had attacked and killed 12 people in the area.

"Twelve suspected witches were beaten to death by angry relatives (of the dead)."

No arrests had been made, but there were plans to hunt down the man-eating lions, the radio station was told.

Belief in witchcraft is prevalent in central and northern Mozambique, which have high rates of illiteracy.

There are also many reported casualties from animal attacks in wild, remote areas.

So far this year, 22 people have reportedly been killed in crocodile attacks in the central Mozambique province of Tete. Many local people also believe those attacks to be the work of witches.