Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku
BINGA villagers were left shell-shocked after four men went berserk at Chenego Business Centre, accusing their relatives of blocking the re-hiring of a prophet to banish goblins that were allegedly tormenting the family.
The bizarre drama broke out at a heated family meeting presided over by Chief Pashu. Instead of reaching common ground, fists, switches and boots flew. Emmanuel Mupande, Taziba Mupande, Luyezyo Sibanda and Nyasha Magedi turned violent, attacking their relatives one by one.
The court heard that the dispute erupted when some family members refused to enlist a prophet known only as Malucky, who had once been hired to drive out the mystical creatures. The accused men felt the prophet should return to “finish the job,” but their relatives disagreed.
Angered, the quartet pounced on Sinda Munsaka, lashing him with electrical switches before punching and kicking him. He fled to the police station to report the assault. Bent on getting their pound of flesh, the accused hunted down more relatives and meted out vicious beatings.
Kostel Munsaka was struck in the forehead, kicked and pummelled until she escaped. Next was Eselia Muleya, who had rejected their demand to hire the prophet. She was beaten with a switch, punched, and then force-marched to Sinda’s homestead, where one of the attackers even threatened to axe him before retreating.
The violence continued when they confronted Esther Munsaka, accusing her of taking sides. She too was whipped with a switch, punched and kicked until she ran for safety.
Police were eventually called in, leading to the arrest of the violent quartet.
In court, they all pleaded not guilty, but Binga magistrate Fungai Dzimiri found them guilty on four counts of assault.
All charges were treated as one for sentencing. Each was handed 12 months imprisonment.
Four months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, while the remaining eight months were set aside for 280 hours of community service at Mabale Clinic.
The court heard that some victims were left badly traumatised and still fear fresh attacks if the goblin row resurfaces.
