Broomstick-flying witches to be brought down in Swaziland

Witches flying broomsticks in Swaziland above 150m will be subject to arrest and a hefty fine of £35,000 ($55,000), civil aviation authorities have said.

Witches’ broomsticks are considered similar to any heavier-than-air transportation device that is airborne. The statute also forbids toy helicopters and children’s kites from ascending too high into the country’s airspace.



“A witch on a broomstick should not fly above the (150m) limit,” Civil Aviation Authority marketing and corporate affairs director Sabelo Dlamini said. No penalties exist for witches flying below 150m.

How serious he was is hard to say. However, witchcraft isn’t a joking matter in Swaziland. Swazi brooms are short, tied bundles of sticks, without handles, and Swazi witches are known to use them to fling potions about homesteads – but not for transport.