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Kenyan looters fear black magic
09/01/2008 12:09 - (SA)
Mombasa - Police in the Kenyan coastal resort of Mombasa say some people who stole property during post-election riots are now returning the goods.
The reason why is that they think they have been cursed. Mombasa police chief Wilfred Mbiithi said: "We have been receiving reports of black magic at work.
"These people have been returning stolen goods at night, but we will arrest them should we catch them in the act."
Kenya was convulsed by violence after President Mwai Kibaki's disputed victory in a December 27 election. Many homes and businesses were looted as some residents took advantage of the chaos to make off with goods.
But as rumours spread in Mombasa that some thieves had been afflicted by illness, or even death, because of their actions, some of the property was mysteriously brought back.
Looters 'unable to sleep'
The owner of a Changamwe suburb bar, which lost a television set in the unrest, said he did not know why it was returned.
He said: "I believe it has something to do with conscience. But if indeed black magic is at work, then it is a good thing."
Residents said some looters had been unable to sleep, while others claimed to have seen ghosts, or even been raped by them.
"Each one of them who stole my property will pay," said Abdul, saying he had cursed the looters who stole timber and furniture from his business in Bombolulu.
"I warned them a week ago to return my property. Whatever is happening to them is their own doing. They were warned."
One youth said he had been "haunted" since looting Abdul's shop - and later returned the timber.
He said: "Please do not talk to me because what I've seen in the past three days is terrifying. I am now clean and I asked for forgiveness from the shop owner."
Meanwhile, staff at Mombasa's Portreitz Hospital said several people had been admitted with swollen stomachs after allegedly raiding bars and liquor stores during the unrest.
Belief in witchcraft was widespread in Kenya.
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