Published: July 25, 2024
GANTA – Six people have died in Gbiah-Gblor Chiefdom, Nimba County after being coerced into consuming a potion to prove their innocence against accusations of witchcraft. The deaths occurred over a span of three months from April to July.
By S. Kannay Ziamo, with The Liberian Investigator
Gorlon Kruah, a woman in her late 60s from Gblor Dialah town in Doe Chiefdom, was the latest victim. She died a few hours after consuming a potion prepared by Ivorian herbalist Gweh Ghanlay, who had been invited by some citizens. Her death brings the total number of victims to six who have forced to drink the poison to exonerate themselves from being perceived as witches.
Teeboy Kruah, a nephew of the deceased, described his aunt’s death as a “moment of breakthrough” for him, claiming she was responsible for his family’s misfortunes. He said that she had confessed to causing their problems on numerous occasions, and despite attempts to cleanse her of witchcraft, the family felt compelled to invite the herbalist.
Local authorities in the chiefdom stated they did not approve the administering of the traditional oath, known as “Sassywood,” as the practice has been banned and criminalized by the Liberian government.
“Working here is not a bad thing, but I received an order from my County Inspector that Gweh [the Ivorian Herbalist] should not give oaths. She can go ahead and catch witchcraft and treat sick people, but not give oaths because oaths can kill, and killing is against Liberian law,” explained Olson Trouh, Acting Paramount Chief of Gbiah-Gblor Chiefdom.
Chief Trouh added that despite warnings, the citizens crafted a ten-man resolution agreeing to administer the oath and proceeded with the exercise without notifying the authorities.
Madam Chris Joe, the Commissioner of the District, confirmed that she had declined the citizens’ request to allow the herbalist to administer the oath. However, she was later informed that the oath had been administered anyway, leading to the woman’s death.
Upon receiving news of the death, Commissioner Joe, along with the District’s Coroner Jury, visited the area to investigate, only to find the body already buried. The ten men who signed the resolution were arrested and taken to Tapitta for investigation.
“We have ordered those who wrote and signed the resolution to accompany us to Tapitta for investigation because they were the ones who permitted the oath to be administered despite our warning,” Commissioner Joe said.
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