Magistrate postpones decade-old sibling feud case

A Harare magistrate has postponed to September 11 a case involving two brothers embroiled in a legal battle dating back more than a decade.

The matter, presided over by Magistrate Amanda Dhlamini, concerns Elijah Chifamba of Greystone Park and his younger brother, Trust Chifamba of Mandara. The postponement was granted to allow the State to amend the charges against Trust.

Trust faces two serious charges: obstructing or defeating the course of justice, and conspiracy to commit murder, under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].

Prosecutor Tinotenda Masimba outlined that the first charge stems from May 2010, when Trust allegedly gave false testimony in a court case involving their mother, Marian Chifamba. The testimony purportedly led to the obstruction of justice against Elijah, who was being accused of falsely claiming his mother was a witch.

On the second charge, the prosecutor stated that Trust and Marian Chifamba allegedly conspired in May 2010 to plan the murder of Elijah.

The case has attracted public attention due to the professional standing of the Chifamba brothers and the extraordinary nature of the allegations. The dispute reportedly began in 2010 when Trust allegedly caused the arrest of his elder brother.

The trial is set to resume on September 11.