Eight suspects including the individual who allegedly pulled the trigger are in police custody over the torture and murder of a woman accused of sorcery in Magarima, Hela Province.
Hela Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Michael Welly said the suspects surrender yesterday (Sunday 06th July 2025) when the Local leaders, Margarima District CEO, and the police teams engaged with the communities and facilitated the voluntary surrenders.
Mr Welly said the act was condemned by the leaders at all levels as both criminal and barbaric, prompting the immediate launch of a police-led manhunt supported by the provincial and community leaders.
Hela Governor Hon. Philip Undialu and Minister for Bougainville Affairs and Magarima MP Hon. Manasseh Makiba visited Magarima on Friday 04th July and formally launched the operation to pursue and apprehend the suspects.
They appealed for community cooperation and the peaceful surrender of those involved.
“Police units deployed from Tari conducted coordinated arrests of the eight suspects. The suspects were transported to the Tari Police Station for formal processing.
“Additional suspects have been positively identified where some individuals are believed to be from Biango Village, Kandep District, Enga Province and requires cross-border cooperation with the Enga police,” PPC Welly said.
PPC Welly said the operation was made possible through the combined support and leadership of Governor Hon. Philip Undialu, Minister Hon. Manasseh Makiba, Upper Wage Local Level Government (LLG) President Yalo Hape, the Margarima District Development Authority (DDA) Chief Executive Officer, Mobile Squad 09 Commander, the Magarima Rural Police Station Commander (PSC) Peter Okep, Local ward councilors, community leaders and PPC himself.
He said the success of this operation underscores the importance of proactive leadership and strong community-police collaboration. He said Hela Province continues to demonstrate that justice is achievable when leaders work on the ground with law enforcement.
Superintendent Welly said the direct involvement of Governor Undialu and Minister Makiba, coupled with decisive police action, sends a strong message that sorcery-related violence would not be tolerated in the province.
PPC Welly said the sorcery-related killings are fully prosecutable under PNG’s Criminal Code. The Sorcery Act was repealed in 2013, making it clear that sorcery accusations do not justify violence. Offenders are subjected to charges including murder, torture, and unlawful confinement, with potential penalties of life imprisonment.
Mr Welly said the police investigation is continuing, and more arrests are expected to be made on remaining suspects. He said they would collaborate with the Enga Provincial Police to apprehend suspects outside Hela province.