Woman labelled a ‘witch’ during a church service, bashed
A WOMAN labelled a “witch” during a church service suffered horrific head injuries after being attacked by a fellow congregant who accused her of bewitching his wife.
Mrs Marry Nyoni (45) also needed hospital treatment for a broken limb after the violent assault by Mr Desmond Nsingo, who flew into a rage following the “prophecy” by Mr Soul Manhiyo of the Zambuko Apostolic Church in the Ruby area of Lower Gweru.
Mrs Nyoni said she had reported her attacker and the “prophet” to the police, but accused officers at Gweru Rural Police Station of trying to protect the self-proclaimed prophet.
She told Chronicle: “I now have permanent injuries on the head after I was attacked with a log by one of our church members, Nsingo, who accused me of bewitching his wife.
“It was during a church service when the prophet, Manhiyo, suddenly went into a trance and accused me of bewitching his wife in front of the church gathering.”
Mrs Nyoni said soon after the church service, Mr Nsingo confronted her and attacked her with a log.
“Other church members could not come to my rescue as he was so violent. I sustained a deep cut in the head and broke my right arm as a result of the assault,” she said.
Mrs Nyoni said she reported Manhiyo for labelling her a witch but was surprised that he was still walking freely.
She said she made several trips to Gweru Rural Police Station to brief the investigating officer, a Constable Nyerere, that the suspect, Manhiyo, who police were claiming to be on the run was in fact presiding over church services every Sunday.
“I even went to the Officer-In-Charge Crime, Inspector Samuel Tadzaushe, to have my case heard but to no avail,” she said.
But Insp Tadzaushe insisted to Chronicle that the police did their duty and had since taken Manhiyo to the Gweru Magistrates’ courts by way of summons.
“To my knowledge, Manhiyo’s case is now before the courts but I understand the courts dismissed the matter,” he said.