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Gibson Mhaka
AN elderly woman from Ntabazinduna in Matabeleland North Province was publicly flogged by two witch-hunters popularly known as tsikamutandas.
Gogo Eddie Ncube (87) from Ntabazinduna under Chief Khayisa was hospitalised after the attack by Fungai Moyo (38) and Ntandokayise Ndiweni (19).
The two witch-hunters also poured seven bucketfuls of cold water over her as punishment because she said under her Christian belief there was no room for their practice, as such she would not be part of it.
In pain, Gogo MaNcube as she is known in the locality went to report the matter to the police leading to the duoa��s arrest.
Circumstances are that on 6 June at around 5 pm, Moyo and Ndiweni were at Victor Ncubea��s homestead conducting a cleansing ceremony.
It is reported that after sometime the two witch-hunters approached Gogo MaNcube instructing her to accompany them to her homestead to cleanse it of her alleged goblins.
In a fit of anger and in a desperate bid to humiliate the elderly woman Moyo and Ndiweni forcibly took her to their a�?basea�? where they subjected her to the beating and torture.
At the base, they repeatedly poked her with knobkerries which they claimed were smeared with cleansing powers.
As if the poking was not enough to punish Gogo MaNcube, the two tsikamutandas also took turns to repeatedly pour seven bucketfuls of cold water on her.
Gogo MaNcube was referred to United Bulawayo Hospitals for treatment where upon examination it was discovered that she suffered chest injuries from the severe beating.
Moyo and Ndiweni were later brought before Bulawayo magistrate Sheunesu Matova sitting at Mbembesi Circuit Court. They were charged with assault.
They pleaded guilty and in mitigation begged for mercy claiming that they didna��t know that they were committing any offence since they were well-known witch-hunters.
They, however, heaved a huge sigh of relief when the six months imprisonment they were each slapped with were wholly suspended for five years on condition that they would not within that period commit a similar offence.
Online Reporter