Western Equatoria State, South Sudan
February 7, 2022 — Authorities in Maridi County of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State said three people including a witch doctor were apprehended for allegedly fighting men of God last week.
In a statement obtained by Nyamilepedia, Bodi Michael, the Maridi County Commissioner says the incident occurred during the centenary celebrations of the Episcopal Church in Maridi.
“During the celebration, the evangelists who were preaching from house to house targeted the witchdoctors because they are leading people away from the word of God. So the group of evangelists moving from house to house went to a certain house of a witch doctor where they prayed together with him,” Bodi commissioner Bodi quoted by Radio Tamazuj to have explained.
“At the end, he was annoyed when he discovered that they wanted to collect his medicines and charms so that they could burn them in the church”, he said.
“. He got angry, rushed to his house and picked up his gun, and tried to shoot them but the gun did not respond after two attempts. The people in the house picked up pangas and started chasing those preaching.”, Bodi further explained.
According to commissioner, three people were injured and the culprits were arrested by the police.
Commissioner Bodi called on the people of Maridi to abandon witchcraft practices and embrace Christianity.
For his part, the ECS Bishop of Maridi Moses Zungo also confirmed the occurrence of the incident but said such incidents are expected while spreading the gospel.
“It a spiritual action happens here in Maridi. We have been celebrating the centenary which is now 100 years of gospel preaching in Maridi. There are always enemies of the gospel and the evangelists were praying to free people from evil practices which are hindering the preaching of the gospel here,” said Bishop Moses.
According to Bishop, it’s normal when the gospel is being preached even the prophets were thrown with stones when they were preaching, we consider this one as normal.”.
He went further to narrate that those injured are receiving treatment at the church clinic in Maridi and their health conditions are gradually improving.
