By Tadiwa Shunje
MASVINGO – A Bikita man from Chikwira village, Chief Mazungunye has been sentenced to
eight years in prison after being convicted on two counts of attempted murder and one of
malicious damage to property for attacking his uncle and aunt accusing them for witchcraft.
The accused appeared before Magistrate Innocent Bepura on May 12, 2026 facing two counts
of attempted murder and one count of malicious damage to property after allegedly attacking
Zivesu Jekara (65) and his wife, Lucia Chabata (58) at their homestead on January 27, 2026.
Court proceedings heard that the accused arrived at the victims’ home at night and questioned
them about traditional clothes allegedly used “to chase away evil spirits.”
According to testimony presented before the court, the accused suddenly turned violent after
accusing his paternal uncle of being responsible for problems affecting the family.
Chabata told the court that they had welcomed the accused into their home because he was a
relative.
“He accused my husband of witchcraft and said he was the cause of all the family problems,”
she said.
She testified that the accused then struck Jekara on the head with a log before hurling a stone
at him as he tried to flee.
“The accused later attacked me with an axe and another log. I managed to escape although I
suffered serious head injuries,” Chabata told the court.
The court also heard that the accused allegedly destroyed two doors at the homestead after
the victims managed to escape.
Both victims were later rushed to Silveira Mission Hospital for treatment and they suffered
head injuries.
In his defence, the accused denied the allegations and claimed he was acting in self-defence.
However, Magistrate Bepura ruled that the evidence placed before the court linked him to all
the charges.
