The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A GOKWE man whose sister is being accused of witchcraft and is being assaulted over the issue has dragged his in-laws to Acting Chief Zimunya’s court.
Malvin Boterekwa told the court that his sister, Magdalene Boterekwa, had on countless occasions concealed wounds inflicted on her by her ruthless in-laws.
It is alleged that Magdalene is subjected to endless assaults in the presence of her husband, Barnabas Nikisi, who fails to restrain his family members from attacking her.
“My sister is a slave in this family. In fact, she is a punching bag because her own husband cannot defend her. He alleges that all this happens in his absence, but my sister tells me a different story.
“When I ask my brother-in-law why he allows my sister to be subjected to such inhumane treatment, he never gives me a satisfactory answer.
“I have travelled from Gokwe to try and save my sister from the endless torture. Whenever I phone my sister, she will be in tears and pain. You can imagine the transport costs I incur in traveling from Gokwe to ensure that these culprits are brought to justice,” he said.
Malvin told the court that the chief culprit in assaulting his sister is her brother-in-law, Bernard Nikisi.
However, Bernard was in default.
Bernard’s brother, Barnabas, confirmed that his brother and family assaulted his wife in his absence.
He said they were accusing her of witchcraft.
“They accuse my wife of witchcraft. They told her that they will only stop assaulting her when she leaves my homestead. They argue that she killed Bernard’s child, yet the child was ill when he died,” he said.
Asked on why he did not report any of the assault cases to the police or the chief’s court, Barnabas said he is constantly away from home.
“I will be at work when these assaults happen, but it is true that they assault her to the extent that she is left bedridden most of the times. I love my wife.
“She is the mother of my children and it is my wish to relocate her from our rural home to Mutare. However, things have not been financially okay and I hope that when it gets back to normal, she will move in with me in the city,” he said.
He also said at one time, he advised his wife to report the matter to the headman’s court, but his brother never showed up at the court.
“He never shows up at court because he disregards the traditional courts. We need the court’s intervention before he kills my wife,” he said.
Acting Chief Zimunya summoned Bernard to the court on July 24.
He, however, castigated Barnabas for failing to report the matter.
“I honestly do not understand how you failed to report this matter and had to wait for your in-laws to travel from Gokwe to do so. It is your wife who is being abused by your brother and you should have taken action a long time ago, unless if you also believe that she is a witch.
“This is unheard of. You, as the head of your family, should be a protector of your wife and children,” said Acting Chief Zimunya.
