adminThubelihle Mabhena Court Reporter
A 28-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo woman has been hauled to court for calling her sister a witch on their family’s WhatsApp chat group. Juliet Weale, a mother of three from Northlyn suburb, appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze facing a charge of indicating witches andwizards.
She pleaded guilty.
Weale heaved a sigh of relief when magistrate Msipa-Marondedze sentenced her to a wholly suspended three months jail term.
Agreed facts are that Weale sent an abusive text message on the social media platform which purported that Amanda Davids, 45, of Manningdale suburb was a witch.
“Your worship, I apologise to the honourable court and my sister for offending her,” said Weale.
Magistrate Msipa-Marondedze warned her saying, “If you ever call anyone a witch within the next five years you will be locked up at Mlondolozi Correctional Prison for three months.”
“If you call your sister a witch what do you teach your three children? They will call their aunt a witch as well.”
Prosecuting, Charles Danda told the court that on February 1, Weale sent a text a message to a family group chat indicating that Davids was a witch.
The message read: “. . . Bs is big sister aka Mandy and is the 2 wicked witches aka Mandy and Guzo (sic).”
Davids reported the matter to the police leading to Weale’s arrest.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter