The Kawale-based charitable organization, Resilience Rising Foundation (RRF), on Saturday, July 25, 2026, joined police in calling for an end to mob attacks and killings targeting elderly people over witchcraft accusations.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the foundation’s proposed elderly home project at Area 23, Chiuzira, RRF Founder Madalitso Funny Chazima outlined the organization’s vision.
She said the foundation was established to provide a safe home for elderly people who lack care and support within their communities, while also standing against the growing trend of mob attacks and killings targeting older persons.
Chazima urged traditional leaders, community members, and other stakeholders to work closely with the foundation and law enforcement agencies to eliminate the vice and promote peaceful coexistence.
“The establishment of Resilience Rising Foundation is meant to restore hope, provide care, and protect elderly people from inhumane acts,” said Chazima.
Kawale Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sub-Inspector Precious Mabvuto Phiri, attended the ceremony and used the opportunity to share crime prevention and community security messages.
He condemned murder and mob justice, particularly attacks on elderly people accused of practising witchcraft. He further encouraged community members to report criminal activities to the police and urged local leaders to establish and strengthen Community Policing Forums in their respective areas.
On the attacks against elderly people, Phiri warned that anyone involved in mob justice would face arrest, stressing that police would not tolerate such criminal acts.
He also condemned the spread of hate speech and false accusations branding elderly people as witches and wizards, saying such beliefs fuel unnecessary anger that often results in violence and the killing of vulnerable elderly people.
“Let us stop calling elderly people witches and wizards. Ageing is a natural part of life, and one day we will all go through the same process. Instead, let us love, respect, and care for them,” said Phiri.
Block Leader Sakala Katondo expressed gratitude to the leadership of RRF for selecting Chiuzira as the proposed site for the elderly home.
He said the project would bring development to the area and pledged his full support to both the foundation and the police in the fight against crime, including violence against elderly people.
Sub-Inspector Precious Mabvuto Phiri
P.R.O-Kawale Police Station
Cell:0995873467/0884024149