In Papua New Guinea two men have each been jailed for 15 years each for the murder of an elderly woman they had accused of sorcery.
The men blamed Rose Waras Kuipa of Giu village in Simbu Province for the death of former Simbu provincial administrator Joe Bal.
The National newspaper reports that Joe Bal Junior and Balito Sine, who were also from Giu village, have been ordered to do hard labour.
A third accused, James Minga, is still under remand and is expected to be tried soon.
In passing sentence at the Kundiawa National Court, acting Justice Lawrence Kangwia says the courts must impose severe sentences to deter sorcery-related killings which he noted were rampant in the Highlands.
He told the court sorcery had no place in modern society.
