The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
A POPULAR Chipinge traditional healer was on Wednesday spared the mandatory nine-year jail term after he was found in possession of python skins without a licence.
Trymore Sigauke (35), whose healing prowess are the talk of Chisavanye area under Chief Musikavanhu, appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi, facing two charges of contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act.
He pleaded not guilty.
Representing the state, Mr Edmore Mahlanganise said on August 25 at Chisavanye Village, police received information that Sigauke had two python skins.
Detectives visited his place posing as buyers interested in the skins.
“Following a discussion, the accused person indicated that he kept two python skins, and a leopard skin in his house. After showing the detectives the skins, he told them that he had received the items from his parents as part of healing paraphernalia as they were also traditional healers,” said Mr Mahlanganise.
The accused was arrested.
The total value of the recovered skins is US$4 000.
However, the defence council, led by Mrs Heather Chikosi, managed to prove the special circumstances peculiar to the matter.
Mrs Chikosi argued that the accused inherited traditional healing and divination paraphernalia from his parents.
Mrs Hanzi fined the traditional healer $20 000 for each count.
She said Sigauke did not choose to be in possession of the skins, but they were handed down to him after a traditional ceremony to anoint him as a n’anga.
“The evidence provided proves that the skins were in the custody of Sigauke’s mother for almost 10 years before a spirit instructed that they be handed over to him as per tradition,” said Mrs Hanzi.
