Family demands $10,000 as witchcraft compensation

A family from Pelandaba suburb in Bulawayo allegedly demanded $10,000 from their landlady as compensation after accusing her of bewitching their ailing daughter.

Jabulani Ndlovu, 37, Similo Ndlovu, 41, and Rebecca Phili, 20, appeared in court on Friday facing charges of indicating witches and wizards for confronting Vena Malunga, 52, and blaming her for causing the illness of their daughter.

Jabulani and Similo are husband and wife while Phili is Jabulani's sister.

They were not asked to plead and were remanded to today.

Prosecuting, Mufaro Mageza told the court that the trio went to Malunga's house in the morning and ordered her to pay $10,000 as compensation for bewitching their daughter.

"On August 20 at around 5AM Jabulani  Ndlovu, Similo Ndlovu and Rebecca  Phili connived and proceeded to Malunga's house.

"Upon arrival, they labelled her a witch who had caused the illness of their daughter. Phili then demanded $10,000 as compensation.

"They said this in the presence of neighbours," said Mageza.

Malunga was then accompanied by the suburb's residents' association vice-chairman where they reported the matter to the police, leading to the trio's arrest.