Zimpapers Logo

Nyasha Mapasa Manicaland Correspondent
Six Odzi men appeared in court last week on allegations of kidnapping their cousin who had been accused of inheriting goblins that were tormenting the family.

The six are Freddy Mushipe (62), Gideon Mutangabende (60), Abel Mutangabende (46), Charles Mutangabende (36), Chengetanai Mutangabende (35) and Shamaine Mutangabende (24).

They appeared before Mutare magistrate Ms Purity Gumbo and pleaded guilty to kidnapping Josiah Mutangabende (77)

Ms Gumbo remanded the six in custody to today.

According to the State case, on June 25, 2019, at around 10am, Josiah and the six accused persons approached a traditional healer following the death of their sister.

Their aim was to establish the cause of her death.

The traditional healer cited their late father, saying he had charms and goblins that were responsible for their sister’s death.

The traditional leader alleged that following the death of their father, Josiah inherited the goblins and charms.

Josiah, who was present, denied the allegations.

The family then approached another traditional healer who also accused Josiah of inheriting goblins.

The court heard that on the July 5, the six accused persons went to Good Hope Farm in Odzi, where the complainant lives.

It is alleged that they grabbed him and forcefully bundled him into a commuter omnibus and took him to Ruwangwe, Nyanga, to meet a traditional healer.

A case of kidnapping was reported leading to the arrest of the six.