An 18-year-old suspect from Kerowagi District, Simbu Province was rearrested last Friday and is now in police custody after failing to show up in court and had been on the run since 2023. The young suspect was a student at Kondiu Rosary Secondary School in Kerowagi, who was out on bail following a Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) incident in Kerowagi district back in the year 2023. Tribal Foundation Founder GT Bustin highlighted that one of the problems hindering the completion of justice is when suspects fail to show up on court dates. And the Tribal Foundation has had to work tirelessly with the police to rearrest the perpetrators or suspects of SARV cases. “This student had a bench warrant for his second arrest because he didn’t show up to court”, Mr. Bustin said. “Let this be a lesson for those who think they can just decide not to show up to court.” Mr. Bustin added that the judges do not take it lightly and Tribal Foundation will support the police to go get the accused arrested. “We think it is time to consider no bail for SARV perpetrators.” It was alleged that around 6:00 a.m. on September 2nd, 2023, a mob surrounded the house of the 54-year-old victim from Kombumogo village in Kerowagi District. He had just buried his wife a few days earlier, while still in his mourning, the mob stormed into his house and shouted accusations against him, blaming him for the death of a prominent local man who died earlier in August 2023. “They accused him of using sorcery to cause the man’s death and demanded his torture and death.” “They pulled him out from his house and chopped his fingers, toes and nose using knives and hot irons.” Calling him the victim, “King blong Sanguma”, they burnt down his house including 13 other houses in that village and destroyed live stocks as well. Families fled and were displaced, and the victim who was rescued and brought to Minggindi Rural Hospital in Kerowagi survived, he spent three months recovering in the hospital. The survivor of SARV is now living with his 3 children aged 10,12 and 27, who are grateful for the assistance given to them by Tribal Foundation. The Foundation helped paid for hospital bills, provided fuel for police vehicles, assisted with paperwork, and ensured his case reached court. According to PNG Tribal Foundation reports, police have arrested and charged eight suspects, who were involved in the SARV, and the latest was the rearrest of the young man last Friday.