Simbu Provincial Police Commander Mazuc Rubiang has called on the people of Simbu to report any sorcery accusations related to violence to the police around the province.
PPC Mazuc made this call after a Facebook post was forwarded to him regarding about four sorcery accusation-related cases that were reported on that social media platform, of which his office had not received any information. He stated that the Facebook post claimed that four cases of a similar nature were reported, including a woman who was burned in her small hut at Gumine, a woman and her son who were chopped in Kerowagi, a young man in Gumine who was brutally murdered and thrown into a toilet pit, and another report of a woman who was tortured and thrown alive into a toilet pit, claiming that the police and Tribal Foundation are working on addressing it.
“My office had not received anything regarding these things posted on Facebook, so it might be false. I have to confirm with my respective police station commanders. So far, Simbu province is quiet, and if such incidents are happening in remote parts of the province, people must report them to the police so we can seek help from our leaders to assist the victims. Do the right thing, my Simbu people,” PPC Rubiang said.
He further called on all police officers and any government officers to work closely with him so timely information is disseminated to responsible authorities to seek assistance because the police alone cannot solve law and order problems in the province.
PPC Mazuc also issued a warning to people spreading false information that they will be investigated and charged accordingly. He said such reports will tarnish the name of the province and will restrict people or tourist movement.
He also acknowledged the good work of the police officers in the province.