TWO women accused of practising sorcery have died last week, with PNG Tribal Foundation stepping in to support their families in Simbu.
The women, both victims of sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV), were displaced and had their homes destroyed after the deaths of two prominent local men in separate incidents , one in Sinesine Yongomugl in March and the other in Kerowagi in September 2023.
PNG Tribal Foundation, which provides humanitarian assistance to people in remote areas, supported the families in Piau village, Tabare LLG, Sinesine Yongomugl, where they mourned the death of a 40-year-old mother of three. Her son had been tortured and killed in March, and she later died from stress related illness. Tribal Foundation gave more than K1500 for haus krai , food rations and coffin over the weekend.
“She (deceased) was among 150 people displaced at Piau village, in March, Tribal Foundation spokesperson said. “After her son was killed and their home was destroyed, she fell ill and later died from the emotional toll and trauma she endured.”
In a related case, a 35-year-old woman from Simbu, who was a key witness in a SARV-related case before the National Court in Mt Hagen, also died over the weekend. She had been staying at a care centre in Simbu after her home and gardens in Kombumogo village, Kerowagi district , were destroyed following the death of a prominent businessman in September 2023.
She passed away due to childbirth complications at Mt Hagen Hospital.
“She was one of our key eyewitnesses whom Tribal had been working closely with. We provided her family K500 to help transport her body back home to Simbu,” spokesman said .
PNG Tribal Foundation President GT Bustin said the organisation had supported the victim throughout the legal process, including assistance with police fuel, court paperwork, eyewitness statement collection, and food supplies until her death.
Mr Bustin said the Foundation is also supporting SARV victims in Jiwaka Province, where a volunteer is helping to gather eyewitness statements in Jimi and South Wahgi. These statements were requested by the State Prosecutor in Mt Hagen during a court hearing last Thursday. The case has been adjourned to July.
In a separate matter, Tribal is assisting with a child sexual abuse case involving a four-year-old girl allegedly assaulted by her biological father.
The family obtained medical reports at Mt Hagen Provincial Hospital last Friday, and the case is scheduled to be heard at the district court next week.
The victim is currently in a safe house, and the suspect has been remanded at Barawagi Prison in Simbu.