A 27-year-old man from Rushinga was last Wednesday (January 11) arraigned before the
Bindura Magistrates’ Court facing allegations of attempted murder. This was after he axed
and assaulted his aunt, accusing her of practising witchcraft and casting an evil spell on him.
Checkmore Oliver of Mavhura Village under Chief Nyakusengwa denied the allegations
when he appeared before Bindura Magistrate, Shingirai Mutiro, who remanded him to
January 25.
According to the State led by Edward Katsvairo, on December 28, last year at around 5pm
Oliver proceeded to Margaret Nyamusangudza’s (64) place and found her in the maize field.
He accused her of practising witchcraft and casting an evil spell on him. He then picked up an
axe, which was on the ground and struck her twice on the head, right hand palm, left hand
arm, face and on the right lower limb.
As if that was not enough, Oliver went on to pick up a wooden log and assaulted
Nyamusangudza several times all over the body.
Oliver was only restrained from further assaulting Nyamusangudza by Jane Gora, who rushed
to the scene after hearing Nyamusangudza screaming and shouting for help.
Oliver fled from the scene and went away only to be apprehended on January 1, after he
returned to the village.