Man Acquitted After Killing His Mother in Witchcraft Row
- A Bulawayo man was acquitted of killing his mother after a witchcraft dispute.
- Amad Nyathi claimed he acted in self-defense against his mother’s attack.
- The court heard alarming details of the confrontation witnessed by neighbors.
Court Acquits Man in Mother’s Witchcraft Killing
A Bulawayo court on Monday acquitted Amad Nyathi, a 47-year-old man, following the tragic killing of his mother, Sikhangele Nyathi, which occurred during a dispute over witchcraft. The magistrate, Matthew Mutiro, determined that Nyathi acted in self-defense when defending himself against what was described as a frenzied and violent attack by his 69-year-old mother. This unusual case, which unfolded in front of shocked neighbors, raised questions about familial conflict and alleged supernatural influences.
Mother’s Alleged Possession Sparks Violent Confrontation
The homicide charge stemmed from an incident on January 13, 2017, in which tensions boiled over after Nyathi invited self-proclaimed prophets to their home. These prophets suggested that his mother was responsible for a series of mysterious family deaths, leading Nyathi to believe he needed to cleanse their home by burning his mother’s supposed ‘altar garments.’ This act sparked a violent reaction from his mother, who, in an alleged state of possession, unleashed a torrent of physical attacks on Nyathi, including striking him with a walking stick and grabbing his genitals. Neighbors witnessed the chaotic scene but refrained from intervening, convinced she was possessed.
Witness Accounts Support Claim of Self-Defense
After wrestling free from her grasp, Nyathi struck his mother several times with the walking stick in a bid to escape. Unfortunately, she eventually fled to a neighbor’s home but succumbed to her injuries after six days in the hospital. Testimony from a neighbor, Siphathisiwe Mhlanga, corroborated Nyathi’s account, noting that she observed the physical altercation and the strange behaviors exhibited by Sikhangele Nyathi during the incident. All witnesses affirmed that Nyathi indeed acted out of desperation to defend himself, leading Magistrate Mutiro to conclude that he bore no criminal responsibility for his mother’s death.
In this distressing case, the Bulawayo magistrate decided that Amad Nyathi acted in self-defense during a violent altercation with his mother, who had been allegedly possessed. The court heard witness testimonies supporting Nyathi’s defense and ruled him free of criminal liability. This tragic episode highlights the profound impact of family disputes and the complexities surrounding beliefs in witchcraft.
