Latest news with #Bimara
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Six people accused of witchcraft are killed by mob who burn two alive, stone others to death or fatally beat them with clubs
Six people accused of witchcraft have been burned alive, stoned or beaten to death in an act of 'horrific, unspeakable barbarity' in Burundi. The mob dragged the group from their homes on Monday after accusations were made by members of the ruling party's powerful youth movement, known as the Imbonerakure, according to witnesses. Imbonerakure is described as a militia by the United Nations and rights organisations. The two men who were burned alive have been named locally as Rwoba and Bimara, as well as another man, Vinicius, who was beaten with sticks. The attacks came after unfounded rumours circulated around the cause of recent deaths including that of a teacher and child, RPA said. Locals blamed witchcraft as the reason, prompting the attacks. Bujumbura provincial governor Desire Nsengiyumva said yesterday that 12 people had been arrested over the incident. Four more have since been arrested, Le Journal Africa reported. Mr Nsengiyumva denounced the 'unacceptable mob justice', saying locals had wrongly attributed recent unexplained deaths to the victims. The tiny nation is predominantly Christian, and traditional beliefs are deeply rooted with unexplained deaths often blamed on witchcraft. Only last year, the Supreme Court sentenced a former prime minister to life imprisonment for charges 'including using witchcraft to threaten the president's life, destabilising the economy and illegal enrichment'. The official said three further people were also beaten but were ultimately rescued after police intervened. One victim remains in hospital, Le Journal Africa reported. 'A group of young Imbonerakure entered the homes of about 10 people accused of witchcraft. They then attacked them,' according to the official from Gasarara Hill, 10 kilometres east of Burundi's economic capital, Bujumbura. 'Six people were killed, two of them burned alive. The others were beaten to death with clubs or stoned with large stones thrown at their heads,' the official said. 'It was horrific, unspeakable barbarity.' Several unverified videos have circulated on social media since Tuesday but two clips set on Gasarara Hill, in the Nyabibondo area, were authenticated to AFP by two witnesses, who identified the group as the Imbonerakure. Several rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have accused the Imbonerakure of killing and torturing dozens of people, particularly under the authoritarian rule of former president Pierre Nkurunziza, in power from 2005 until 2020.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Anger erupts as Aussie tourist site 'totally destroyed' in violent act
An Australian tour of important cultural sites has ended in horror after the group's leader found one had been destroyed. A massive naturally formed limestone 'statue' that symbolised the head of a snake had been 'violently desecrated' with what appeared to be some kind of heavy tool. Located out of the way, on the banks of the Greenough River, east of Geraldton in Western Australia, few people knew of its existence. Naaguja Yamatji man Derek Councillor began leading small groups to the Indigenous site around a decade ago, and he believes someone with knowledge of its cultural importance is responsible. Speaking with Yahoo News Australia, Councillor said he was 'angry' when he found the rock in pieces on Thursday. 'It had been there for like generations. My father showed me, his father showed him, and so on,' he told Yahoo News. 'To discover the rock totally destroyed like that on the tour was very sad.' Related: 🌏 Fears for ancient sites under threat from controversial industry plan In the Naaguja language, the snake is referred to as a Bimara. The statue is connected to a Dreamtime legend about it trying to enter the ocean but being stopped by a sea serpent who wounded him. For him to heal his wounds, he had to go back to the Greenough River where he belonged. Because he was there so long, with his head above the banks, the rock took the shape of his head. 'It was a place of significance where we'd go. If we'd fish there, we'd do a little smoking ceremony around the rock to ask for blessings and protection,' Councillor said. 🐍 Bold plan to reintroduce wild animals into Australia's major cities 😳 Sad find in dam sparks warning about daily problem in Aussie bush 🏔️ Search for answers as town buried after mountainside collapses On social media, another community member shared their anger and sadness at the destruction, saying it was more than an act of vandalism. 'This is an attack on our culture, our ancestors, and our spirit. My heart aches not just for what was lost, but for what this says about the continued disregard for our sacred sites,' they wrote. Dozens of people were sympathetic. 'No need for this in our beautiful country at all,' one wrote. 'Heartbreaking. I wish there was more respect in this world. Needless destruction,' another said. But others mocked what had happened with racist comments, deepening the wounds felt by the community. These comments have now been deleted. Councillor told Yahoo he began taking tourists to the site because he thought 'times were changing' and the wider community was more accepting of Indigenous practices. 'Now I wish I hadn't,' he said. He now plans to report the destruction to the Native Title Board. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
