News / Regional
Vapostori assault passerby over witchcraft, jailed
05 Sep 2025 at 06:09hrs | 556 Views
Two Solwezi-based (Plumtree) apostolic prophets, Eriya Magumise (25) and Trevor Mandishona (29) under the Johane Masowe eChishanu Nyenyedzimomwe were sentenced to twelve months imprisonment on two counts of witchcraft accusations and assaulting (threatening to hit) a passerby, Ollys Mpofu with a knobkerrie and machete over witchcraft.
Of the 12 months imprisonment sentence (count one), Plumtree magistrate Mr Joshua Nembaware this Wednesday suspended 6 months for a period of 5 years on condition that the accused does not within that period commit any offense related to indicating wizard, an element for which upon conviction is send to prison without the option of a fine. The remaining 6 months imprisonment were suspended on condition that the accused complete 210 hours of community service at Plumtree magistrate court starting on September 4, 2025 and finish within 6 weeks.
On another count (Count two) the court heard that accused should either pay a US$200 fine or face a month imprisonment. In addition, one month imprisonment was suspended for a period of 5 years on condition the accused does not within that period commit any offense of which assault is an element for which upon conviction is sent to imprisonment without the option of a fine.
State led by Sheila Nyathi told the court that on August 30 of 2025 at around 07:00 hours, the accused person who was at their bushy worshipping shrine near Lakeview (Plumtree) approached complainant, Ollys Mpofu and alleged him of having a goblin and snake at his house. The court further heard that (on the same day and time) the accused person threatened to hit Mpofu with a knobkerrie and a machete.
A report was made leading to the arrest of the accused persons.
Of the 12 months imprisonment sentence (count one), Plumtree magistrate Mr Joshua Nembaware this Wednesday suspended 6 months for a period of 5 years on condition that the accused does not within that period commit any offense related to indicating wizard, an element for which upon conviction is send to prison without the option of a fine. The remaining 6 months imprisonment were suspended on condition that the accused complete 210 hours of community service at Plumtree magistrate court starting on September 4, 2025 and finish within 6 weeks.
On another count (Count two) the court heard that accused should either pay a US$200 fine or face a month imprisonment. In addition, one month imprisonment was suspended for a period of 5 years on condition the accused does not within that period commit any offense of which assault is an element for which upon conviction is sent to imprisonment without the option of a fine.
State led by Sheila Nyathi told the court that on August 30 of 2025 at around 07:00 hours, the accused person who was at their bushy worshipping shrine near Lakeview (Plumtree) approached complainant, Ollys Mpofu and alleged him of having a goblin and snake at his house. The court further heard that (on the same day and time) the accused person threatened to hit Mpofu with a knobkerrie and a machete.
A report was made leading to the arrest of the accused persons.
Source - Byo24news
