By Melisa Munzvandi
TWO men from Village 5 Tshaswingo in Beitbridge have appeared before Regional Court Magistrate Charity Maphosa on allegations assaulting their 72 year old uncle accusing him of witchcraft.
Harmony Shoko 30 and Promise Ncube 30 were brought to court under the Zimbabwe Republic Police record Beitbridge Rural CR 55/09/26.
The State alleges that on September 23, 2026 the two accused persons took their uncle Tinos Hamadziripi Ncube 72 to a traditional healer known as Mai Scola in Lapanini Village.
They used a donkey drawn cart to ferry him.
At the healer’s homestead, Shoko and Ncube accused him of being behind their misfortunes.
A misunderstanding ensued and the two allegedly assaulted him with clenched fists, a donkey whip, a machete, a tyre lever and the back of an axe.
It is alleged that Shoko and Ncube then ordered him to dig up a bottle which they claimed contained charms kept under a tree and to lead them to his kitchen to retrieve alleged goblins.
When nothing was found, they forced the 72-year-old to his younger brother’s homestead where they burnt some of his property whilst taking turns to assault him.
The old man Ncube sustained several injuries including lacerations on the face, a fractured right hand and soft tissue injuries all over the body.
He was later referred for medical examination. The medical report will be produced as an exhibit.
Shoko and Ncube abandoned the aged uncle before dusk and went away.
He later reported the matter to the police.
The case was postponed for continuation on a later date.