Two Kwekwe “prophets” in court for planting python in client’s house

Kwekwe (New Ziana) -Two self-proclaimed prophets from Kwekwe, the Midlands province on Monday appeared at the local magistrates’ court for allegedly “planting” a three-meter-long python into the house of a woman who had invited them for a family cleansing ceremony.

The two, Freedom Phiri (30) of Mbizo 22 and Elias Magumise (32) of Torwood in Redcliff, and the alleged snake supplier Tinashe Mataga (38) of Mbizo 1, appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Mildred Matuvi who remanded them out of custody on ZWL150 000 bail each.

They were charged with contravening section 59 (2) (b) as read with Section 59 (5) of the Parks and Wildlife Act for “Unlawful removal of an or animal parts from any land.”

The trio was represented by Brian Chifamba of Mkushi and Maupa Legal Practitioners who is being assisted by Liberty Chimwaradze of Chisa and Msvaya.

Prosecutor Ethel Bhumhure told the court that on unknown date Mataga hunted and caught a live male python valued at US$2 000 and on June 1 handed it over to Phiri and Magumise who wanted to use it at a house in Mbizo 18 where they had been hired by Stella Ziya for a family cleansing ceremony.

Unfortunately for the duo, Ziya saw them letting out the live python which went behind the wardrobe and she went to report at Mbizo police station.

When the two were arrested, they implicated Mataga who was also apprehended.

Officials from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority identified the animal as a “specially protected male python” and took it to the Dutchman’s Pool Snake Park for rehabilitation.

New Ziana