I think witches are scientists and innovators who are disrupting the mainstream (govt and church) causing loss in revenue. So the mainstream made up some false accusations to get rid of the competition.
Discussion
Similar to the misinformation of Shamanism, many say the 1st Shaman was a man, but who gave birth to "him" and who was more than likely the 1st to teach "him" all he knew about plant medicine and their way of life... his MOTHER.