Man Acquitted After Killing His Mother in Witchcraft Row

• Court acquits Amad Nyathi of culpable homicide for killing his mother.
• Judge found Nyathi acted in self-defense during a violent altercation.
• Tensions over witchcraft allegations escalated into a deadly confrontation.

Acquittal stems from self-defense ruling by magistrate

Man acquitted after killing his mother in witchcraft row in Zimbabwe – Bulawayo magistrate Matthew Mutiro ruled that Amad Nyathi acted in self-defense. The case ties back to a tragic incident from January 13, 2017, when the 47-year-old son killed his 69-year-old mother, Sikhangele Nyathi, after an intense disagreement fueled by allegations of witchcraft. The court found that Nyathi did not plan to kill but was reacting to what seemed like a life-threatening assault from his mother, who many believed was influenced by some kind of possession.

Family witchcraft allegations serve as backdrop to tragedy

Eyewitness accounts tell the story of how things got out of hand. According to testimonies, tensions spiked after Nyathi invited prophets into their home. Those so-called prophets claimed that his mother was responsible for a series of bizarre and tragic deaths impacting the family, escalating already existing family issues over witchcraft accusations. When Nyathi was persuaded to burn his mother’s supposed “altar garments” as a cleansing act, that action sent Sikhangele into a violent frenzy.

Witnesses confirm struggle, support Nyathi’s defense

The confrontation, which unfolded with horrified neighbors watching, moved quickly from verbal conflict to physical aggression as Sikhangele attacked Nyathi with a walking stick and even hurled a brick at him—all while allegedly holding onto his genitals for an uncomfortably long duration. It was a dramatic scene that shocked those nearby, who reportedly thought she might have been possessed. Other witnesses, including neighbor Siphathisiwe Mhlanga, corroborated Nyathi’s claims of self-defense, stating their observations of the chaotic struggle.

Overall, the court’s decision to acquit Amad Nyathi highlights the complexities of family disputes intertwined with witchcraft beliefs. The unusual circumstances surrounding the instance of self-defense raises questions about mental health and societal perceptions in contentious family environments. In the end, the ruling reflects not only the tragic outcome of a son losing his mother but also the underlying tensions that had plagued the family before that day.