From the article:

The religious leaders offer help to the families whose children are named as witches, but at a price. The churches run exorcism, or "deliverance", evenings where the pastors attempt to drive out the evil spirits. Only they have the power to cleanse the child of evil spirits, they say. The exorcism costs the families up to a year's income.

What is the history of religion but the history of preying on young minds?

Religion, patriotism, fear, etc. can all be misused for mass manipulation. Questioning religion is always healthy for a democracy.

It's ironic that when the US Constitution was being written and debated, it was the religious establishment that was most in favor of separation of church and state.