Case file · Witch trials
The murder of Kristy Bamu
On 25 December 2010 fifteen-year-old Kristy Bamu was tortured and drowned in a bath in Forest Gate, east London, by his sister and her partner, who accused him of witchcraft (kindoki).
2010 CE · 51.55, 0.03 · status: official
The account
His killers were jailed for life in 2012. The case led to a national action plan on child abuse linked to faith or belief. Many Congolese and other African churches and community groups have campaigned against branding children as witches.
The sceptical view
Investigators stress that abuse of this kind is a crime and a child-protection issue; it does not represent the faith of most believers.