Sangoma faces murder charge after client dies

A Bulawayo traditional healer has appeared in court facing a murder charge after a client allegedly died shortly after consuming a herbal substance administered during a spiritual cleansing ritual.

Livingstone Sibanda, of Cowdray Park, appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Challenge Mahembe on the murder charge.

He was not asked to plead because murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Sibanda, who is represented by Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire of Mashayamombe Law Firm, was later granted bail by the High Court and released on US$150.

He was remanded to July 15 for routine remand.

As part of his bail conditions, Sibanda was ordered to continue residing at his stated address, report every Monday at Cowdray Park Police Station and refrain from interfering with State witnesses until the matter is concluded.

Prosecutor Josephine Gurazhira told the court that the alleged offence occurred on June 21 when the deceased, accompanied by his sister, visited Sibanda's home seeking spiritual assistance to allegedly remove evil spirits from his house.

The State alleges that Sibanda gave the man a herbal substance resembling a potato to consume as part of the cleansing ritual.

"The deceased consumed the herb and immediately started vomiting continuously. The accused attempted to administer first aid, but his efforts failed to stop the vomiting," Gurazhira told the court.

According to the prosecution, Sibanda later called an ambulance after the man's condition worsened.

Paramedics who attended the scene examined the man and pronounced him dead.

The deceased's body was subsequently taken for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.

The matter is expected to proceed before the High Court once the necessary procedural requirements have been completed. At this stage, the allegations remain before the court and Sibanda has not been called upon to enter a plea.