Man fatally axes neighbour over witchcraft

A Hurungwe man fatally struck his neighbour with an axe on suspicion that he was bewitching him and his family, a daily reported today. 

The incident occurred on Wednesday in an area under headman Chaora - Chief Chundu - following the cleansing ceremony by a witch-hunter known as Gurajena who made the witchcraft allegations.

The suspect, Wilson Mupakati, appeared before a Karoi magistrate Obedience Matare on Friday facing murder charges.

According to the State Mupakati (53) approached the now deceased identified as Chirumezani and accused him of bewitching him.

He was armed with an axe and during the conversation; Mupakati drew the axe from his back and struck his victim right on the back of the head killing him on the spot.

Prosecutor Webster Dimungu told the court that this was witnessed by another person and the suspect was found in possession of the axe he used to commit the crime.
The state opposed bail due to the gravity of the matter and that the witnesses stay in the same village.

The State also further argued the accused's safety could not be guaranteed as relatives of the deceased may want to revenge.

He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.