Cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 38 co-accused persons were on Thursday charged with child cruelty, torture and denying children right to education. Mackenzie and his followers are accused of torturing the children in Shakahola Forest so they could "go to heaven'. They were also accused of denying a 17-year-old child, identified as JNK food, causing him suffering and injury to his health. The suspects were also accused of wilfully and intentionally ill-treating a 17-year-old girl, identified as JCK, by denying her food. They are also accused of denying food to a 13-year-old male child, identified as EWO.

Source: The Star January 25, 2024 18:05 UTC