Binga man assaults uncle over witchcraft

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A MAN from Chenga village in Binga, who seriously assaulted his uncle with a stick accusing him of witchcraft, was slapped with an effective four-month jail term on Friday.

A MAN from Chenga village in Binga, who seriously assaulted his uncle with a stick accusing him of witchcraft, was slapped with an effective four-month jail term on Friday.

SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER

Shupani Muleya (23) pleaded guilty to three counts of assault when he appeared before Binga resident magistrate Stephen Ndlovu, who convicted and sentenced him to six months in jail.

However, two months of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

In sentencing him, Ndlovu said it was taboo to beat up elders.

Prosecutor Bruce Maphosa told the court that Muleya visited a prophet to consult on some problems he was facing and the prophet allegedly told him that his uncle Dala Muleya (65) was responsible for all his mishaps.

On July 24, Muleya confronted his uncle armed with a stick accusing him of bewitching him.

He told his uncle that he could not sleep at night and continuously saw goblins as a result of him.

Muleya then struck his uncle in the thigh leaving him with a deep wound.

His uncle’s wife Berita Mudenda tried to restrain Muleya, but he turned on her and struck her on the back twice. Muleya’s sister Sarah also tried to intervene, but she too was assaulted.

The family reported the matter to the police, leading to Muleya’s arrest.