adminCollette Mukome
HARASSING her step-mother and accusing her of witchcraft led a Zimunya woman to appear before the court. Emily Murigoyi of Plot 6, Howth Farm pleaded guilty to breaching a peace order which was granted by a Mutare court against her. The order instructed her not to harass Tamari Mukhalela who also resides at the same farm.
Representing the State was Mr Fletcher Karombe.
On January 26, Murigoyi visited her mother-in-law, Mukhalela with the intention of telling her that her son was missing.
“The two had a heated argument which resulted in Murigoyi accusing her of bewitching her son. She also accused Mukhalela for causing misfortunes in her family and children. Murigoyi demanded her mother-in-law to accompany her to the village head, but Mukhalela denied saying it was dark.
“Murigoyi then dragged Mukhalela’s hand and forced her to go to the village head’s house to seek recourse,” said Mr Karombe.
Asked why she committed the offence, Murigoyi told the court that she was angry with her mother-in-law’s behaviour.
She said: “I reported the matter to the village head and the matter is still pending before Chief Zimunya’s court. Mukhalela confessed to bewitching my child who is in Grade Seven,” she said.
Mr Langton Mukwengi fined her $100 or 60 days behind bars.
He told her that the court does not believe in witchcraft hence there was need to pass a deterrence sentence as a warning to people who accuse elderly people of witchcraft.
“Go and solve your matters amicably with the chief without resorting to violence,” he said.
Online Reporter