Harare (New Ziana) – A Gokwe man has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for killing his father after accusing him of practising witchcraft.

Tinevimbo Nyika (23) from Kufazvinei Village, Chief Chireya, Gokwe North was convicted by the High Court sitting in Gokwe for the murder of his 69-year-old father.

The court heard that on November 18 last year, Nyika and his father were at their homestead together with other family members when the former confronted the elderly man, accusing him of practicing witchcraft.

He accused him of bewitching one of his (Nyika’s) brothers.

Angered by the accusation, the father later struck Nyika on the left knee with a metal rod, sparking a tussle between the two.

Nyika managed to disarm his father and struck him on the head, forcing him to flee. He gave chase and caught up with the father, and struck him all over his body, including head, using the metal rod, leading to his death. A police report was made, and Nyika was subsequently arrested.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe is on record encouraging members of the public to desist from violence and resolve their disputes amicably or seek third party mediation.

New Ziana