By S.B.Williams
In the recent post-election era, the government was swift to institute investigations into the activities of government and other national functionaries. Unfortunately, these well-meaning government rescue programs are described as WITCH HUNT.
THE TRADITIONAL WITCH
If there is a witch hunt, then there is a possibility that there are witches around. But who is a witch?
A witch (wizard) is one who leaves her natural fleshy body to operate in the supernatural realm of the spirit. But what are some of their activities? The main function of a witch is to divert destinies through their supernatural powers. They operate as blood sucking vampires.(I mean suckers of human blood).They eat human flesh in the spiritual realm and no normal person will know or discover it.
From time immemorial witchcraft has been an abomination in nearly all traditional societies. Some of the works of William Shakespeare give account of witchcraft activities.
The Holy Bible has a number of statements about witches and I want to give some of them:
- Thou shall not suffer a witch to live (Exodus 22:18)
- Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft (1 Samuel 15: 23)
- …mistress of witchcraft that selleth nations (Nahum 3:4)
Some villages still stone or burn witches to death when identified but times have changed and the world seldom talks about witches.
THE SAUL TYPE OF WITCHES
Saul was appointed King of Israel by God Himself and anointed by Prophet Samuel. This was the highest public office which empowered him to rule the nation. It came to a time when God sent Saul to go and destroy the Amelekites. God gave him specific instructions to destroy every living thing in Amelek. Saul indeed went ahead with the mission but he did not faithfully carry out the instructions.
Contrary to God’s instructions, Saul spared the best of the sheep and also king Agag. For those who may not be conversant with the Bible account, let me quote the relevant portions in 1 Samuel 15: Verse 2 5. Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I remember that which Amelek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amelek and utterly destroy all that they have,and spare them not but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah
And Saul came to a city of Amelek and laid wait in the valley.
Verse 7:11 And Saul smote the Amelekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.
And he took Agag the king of the Amelekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of thefatlings, and the lambs and all that was good. Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel saying:
It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he turned back from following me and hath not performed my commandments.
Verse 23: For rebellion is as sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness as iniquity and idolatory. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Saul’s disobedience was described as witchcraft by the Almighty God himself. Therefore, in line with God’s description, all those who work contrary to the Laws of the nation and principles of government are witches (wizards).
If the process of investigation into the conduct and activities of those entrusted with the nation’s property and wealth is described as witchcraft, nothing can be more appropriate.
Many people do not realize that some people in public offices are witches or wizards in disguise, by virtue of their dishonest operations. Let us consider some of these practices:
BRIBERY
Bribery is one of the worst forms of exploitation especially when a poor or needy man is asked to pay for free services he is entitled to. This is wicked and all those who receive bribes are witches or wizards. In some offices people know that if you don’t pay bribes you will not get what you deserve, so they pay.
FRAUDULENT CONVERSION
The police and law officers can better define this. I understand this to mean illegally converting the property of another person, persons or the nation, etc. into one’s use or ownership. This has become so rampant in the nation that people carry it out with impunity and practice it as routine. Is it wrong to investigate the activities of such people? Fellow countrymen, let us think and act in the interest of this nation and not support them because of party relationships.
CONTRACTORS’ DILEMMA
I understand that most unfinished or badly done contracts are a result of the dilemma in which the prospective contractors are placed. The contractor either agrees to pay a certain percentage of the total contract cost or is not given the contract. Officers guilty of such practices are sinning against God, the nation and the contractor. They are witches or wizards and deserve to be punished if found guilty. By the way, what is wrong with witch hunt if there are witches around?
ROBBERS
Many Sierra Leoneans don’t sleep well at night because of the threat of armed robbers. They not only force people under gun point to surrender their properties or money but even rape women with impunity. Most times they shed blood. These are witches or wizards that words cannot adequately describe. Can the government do something about this? If yes, it is urgent. People’s lives and properties are in danger. These witches and wizards must be hunted and rooted out.
There are many more areas in which witches and wizards operate to the detriment of their fellow men and nation. All I am saying may not be new to most people but we need to cry out against these Saul-type witches who are depriving the nation of the resources needed to make everyone proud to be a Sierra Leonean.
Finally, I pray that every Sierra Leonean will develop the sincere love of God and their fellow Sierra Leoneans. Note that this world is not our home and some day we shall give account to God for all we are doing now.