Man assaults dad for refusing to allow tsikamutandas to cleanse his home

Aleck Mugadi, 27, of Binga, Matabeleland North, has been jailed for assaulting his father because he would not allow a self-styled prophet to conduct a "cleansing ceremony" at his home.

Aleck accused 60-year-old Window Mugadi of being a "wizard" after he resisted demands to invite the prophet, known locally as 'tsikamutanda.'

The senior Mugadi was admitted at Binga Hospital for three days after his son hit him on the head and ribs with a log.

On Tuesday, Binga magistrate Stephen Ndlovu jailed Aleck for 18 months even as the court was told that his father wanted to withdraw the charges.

The younger Mugadi's two wives, who were in court, also tried in vain to mitigate on his behalf.
 
The magistrate told Aleck before sentencing, "It is taboo in our culture to insult your parents, let alone assault them.

"Although your father wants to withdraw the charges, it would send the wrong signals if this court passed anything other than a custodial sentence due to the brutality of the assault."

The court heard that Aleck visited his father at his homestead on March 18 last month and found him seated around a fireplace.

He accused his father of refusing to let tsikamutandas "cleanse" his homestead of evil spirits because he feared being outed as a wizard.

During the heated exchanges, Aleck picked up a 1,7-meter log and attacked his father whose injuries were so serious he spent three days in hospital.

A medical report produced in court showed Window Mugadi fractured two ribs and had a laceration on the lower lip. He also took a blow to the left jaw.