Unknown citizens mutilated the hands of an 82-year-old woman in Mopeia district, Zambezia province, on suspicion of witchcraft. She also suffered neck injuries.

As the STVThe group now at large broke the fingers of a couple of the elderly woman's grandchildren using machetes.

The victims are already receiving medical assistance at Quelimane Provincial Hospital, and are out of danger, according to the orthopedic doctor who is monitoring their clinical progress.

The old woman's son said that when the crime took place he was in the fields and didn't return because he had a fever. He says he found his family again at Mopeia Hospital.

The Republic of Mozambique Police in Zambezia said they had become aware of the case and have already taken steps with the National Criminal Investigation Service to find the criminals.