Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
A 40-YEAR-OLD Zvishavane man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for fatally assaulting his 89-year-old father, whom he accused of practising witchcraft and causing a series of deaths within the family.
Pathias Ncube of Magama Village was convicted of murder by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, who was sitting on circuit in Gweru.
Pathias’ brother, Keletse Ncube, who had also been charged in connection with the case, was acquitted after the court found that he had not participated in the assault as he was merely a bystander.
In passing sentence, Justice Mutevedzi said the killing of a parent was a serious aggravating factor that warranted a deterrent custodial sentence.
The judge said while allegations of witchcraft remained deeply rooted in some communities, such beliefs could never justify taking another person’s life.
“Such beliefs about witchcraft remain deeply rooted in some communities, but they do not justify murder,” said Justice Mutevedzi.
In mitigation, Pathias pleaded for leniency, telling the court that he genuinely believed his father was responsible for a series of family deaths through witchcraft.
He said he had lost his mother and nine siblings and claimed his father had made disturbing pronouncements before some of the deaths occurred.
Prosecuting, Mr Thompson Hove told the court that the offence occurred on January 15 at the family homestead in Magama Village.
The court heard that a maid employed at the homestead heard the elderly man screaming during the night but did not investigate, believing that Pathias and Keletse would attend to their father.
The following morning, when questioned, the brothers denied hearing any screams.
Later that day, an uncle arrived at the homestead looking for the elderly man, but the brothers falsely claimed that he was not at home.
λ Full story on www.chronicle.co.zw
The maid later asked the brothers to call their father for breakfast. Keletse went to check on him and found him lying dead in a pool of blood. Pathias refused to enter the room.
The brothers informed relatives and the police attended the scene the following day.
Police investigating the matter observed that the deceased had sustained a deep cut at the back of the head and three additional cuts near the left ear.
A post-mortem conducted at United Bulawayo Hospitals established that the cause of death was severe head trauma, acute subdural haematoma and brain injury.
Mr Hove argued that the offence was particularly aggravating due to the advanced age of the victim and the brutality of the attack.
