MONROVIA – An audio obtained by FrontPageAfrica reveals Grand Gedeh County Senator-elect Thomas Yaya-Namely intimidating a woman who reportedly confessed to witchcraft and her role in the death of Representative Madison Gwion after undergoing Sassywood, a form of trial by ordeal still in use in Liberia.
By Henry Karmo, [email protected]
Senator-elect Namely expressed his belief in the woman’s involvement in witchcraft but emphasized that she did not act alone. He pointed out that she is not a candidate vying for Madison’s office, but her biological son works in the deceased’s office, suggesting a possible connection.
Namely stated, “What we want to do is encourage this woman and the man who supported her to plan sassywood to start talking. Once this lady took the sassywood and it caught her, they will send her back. What I am asking you all to do is to be patient; there is a bigger fish, and it’s that bigger fish we are looking for.”
Representative Madison Gwion, from Grand Gedeh’s first district, died weeks after being re-elected. He had completed his first term, initially winning the position in a by-election after the election of Senator Zoe Pennue to the senate. The cause of his death, believed to have occurred in Ghana, is yet to be established.
On the morning of Tuesday, December 5, 2023, a group described as “hooligans and bandits” rampaged through Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh County. They set ablaze one of the two houses reportedly belonging to Senator Pennue, alleging his involvement in the death of Representative-elect Erol M. Gwion. The protestors also vandalized and looted homes, including a house belonging to some traditional leaders in the county.
Senator Pennue and some traditional leaders are reportedly being blamed for Representative-elect Erol M. Gwion’s death through traditional means. The chaos resulted in the closure of market centers, shops, stores, and other businesses, including schools, due to the panic created by the perpetrators.
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