Call to reform witchcraft law gains urgency amid growing abuse concerns

Activist calls for overhaul of colonial-era law to address violence, stigma and abuse linked to witchcraft accusationsA Namibian human rights activist has called for urgent reform of the country’s 91-year-old witchcraft law, warning that it has failed to protect vulnerable people from stigma, violence and economic exploitation.Berrie Holtzhausen, founder of Alzheimer Dementia Namibia (ADN), submitted a proposal to the justice ministry in May, urging the overhaul of the Witchcraft Suppression Proclamation of 1933.He argues that the law is outdated and leaves elderly people, persons with dementia, and people with disabilities exposed to accusations and abuse.“Witchcraft accusations are not merely cultural beliefs, they have become economic tools and instruments of violence that destroy lives,” Holtzhausen said.The submission aligns with international frameworks, including the United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 47/8 and Pan-African Parliament guidelines, both of which call for states to criminalise harmful practices associated with witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks (HPAWR).ADN has documented cases in Namibia where dementia and other neurological conditions have been mistaken for witchcraft.In one case in the Kavango Region, two women were fined N$38 000 by a traditional court over accusations of having supernaturally caused harm to a child.“These accusations violate the Constitution. They are based on fear, not fact,” Holtzhausen said.Exploiting belief for profitThe Pan-African Parliament has warned that such practices, including forced displacement, ritual killings and economic exploitation, are used to marginalise vulnerable groups and suppress dissent.Its guidelines call for updated laws, regulation of traditional and faith healers and support systems for victims.Holtzhausen said that faith-based healers, including some operating under mainstream religious umbrellas, are exploiting belief systems for profit.“They claim to ‘cleanse’ people of curses for money, and their victims are often the most defenceless in society,” he said.He added that lack of access to mental healthcare and poor public awareness contribute to the persistence of harmful practices.“Many rural communities have no understanding of dementia. They don’t see memory loss as a disease – they see it as a curse,” he explained.Citizen proposals for legal reformElvis Lizazi, shadow justice minister for the IPC, said government had already invited public submissions for legislative reform earlier this year, and Holtzhausen’s proposal should be seen in that context.“All that Holtzhausen meant to include, I believe, will be considered by government because they made the call for such amendment to any law,” he said.Lizazi called for greater collaboration with NGOs to promote constitutional education and highlighted ongoing cases in the Zambezi region, where traditional healers detain elderly people accused of witchcraft.“We have issues in Kabbe South where the elderly are taken illegally across to Zambia and abused. They return home in fear and stigma, and some have died as a result of this practice,” he said.He also confirmed that international protocols like UNHRC Resolution 47/8 are legally binding under Article 144 of the Namibian Constitution.“There is no two ways about it but to align to what is provided for,” Lizazi said.Widespread beliefsHowever, he acknowledged that meaningful enforcement would be difficult in a society where belief in witchcraft remains widespread.“There is nothing government is doing about it because they also believe in witchcraft,” Lizazi said. “We still blame [witches] for hindering us to progress economically, taking our finances, failing at university, or not finding a job.”Human dignity, safety and healthThe justice ministry has not yet responded to Holtzhausen’s proposal. He has called on parliament to treat the issue as a matter of national urgency.“This is not just a legal issue. It’s a national emergency that affects health, safety and human dignity,” he said.Despite numerous attempts and reminders for the past two weeks to obtain comment from justice and labour relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel, or anyone from the ministry, through public relations officer Edmund Khoaseb, were unsuccessful.

Call to reform witchcraft law gains urgency amid growing abuse concerns

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-29

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Call to reform witchcraft law gains urgency amid growing abuse concerns

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-29

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