IT IS sad that the family bond that unites most Africans and Zambians in particular, has been eroded.
We now have sons murdering their parents because they are old and therefore suspected to be practicing witchcraft. This is sad. These same people being accused raised the accusers.
Without shame, sons and daughters rise up and slay their parents because of suspicions.
It is now common to find families abandoning families, and children turning away their parents because they are old and therefore perceived to be witches or wizards.
This is sad and something needs to be done to reverse this dangerous trend which is slowly taking root in our country.
Strong family ties as well as the belief in community unity, are what makes Zambia a great country.
The story of old people being have been abandoned by their families because they suspect them of practicing witchcraft, makes sad reading.
Not long ago, we carried a story of some old woman abandoned by her biological children because of similar suspicions.
We have carried stories of Lusaka families deserting their elderly relatives in Garden compound on account of age. We had a Ms Phiri abandoned by her relatives, who accused her of being a witch following the deaths of her two sons and three grandchildren.
The old lady has suffered after being abandoned by her relatives, some of whom she had cared and looked after.
Old age cannot turn one into a witch. The family that has abandoned this woman should be ashamed, especially that this woman helped raise some of them. The fact that she lost her own biological children and grandchildren, is no reason to allege that she was responsible for their deaths.
Death is a mystery and the only certainty of birth is that everyone will die. No one lives forever and no parent can be happy to kill her own children and remain to suffer in the manner that this woman is suffering.
Unfortunately, this is the belief among many urban and rural dwellers who think that old age is synonymous with witchcraft. In some parts of the rural areas, people are being killed because they are old and therefore suspected of witchcraft. This nonsense ought to be stopped.
Only last week, we carried a story of a man killed by his nephew in Muchinga on suspicion that he was a wizard. Fortunately the suspected culprit was apprehended. We hope that the law takes its course to deter would be culprits.
Sadly, more old people continue to be killed in Muchinga province because of these same accusations of witchcraft. What the accusers do not realize is that they too will grow old and will have to endure the same fate.
This kind of primitive thinking should be done away with.
We need to start teaching people and especially young people to respect their parents and other elderly citizens, This is who we are as a people.
The Ubuntu culture or communal living of old days was a unifying factor.
This is something that should be encouraged in rural areas.
Let us honour our parents and all senior citizens. Stop the witchcraft nonsense.
