Headman and 7 others arrested for assaulting ‘witch’ couple
Eight people, including an 86-year-old village headman, appeared in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on Thursday after they were arrested for assaulting and allegedly threatening to kill two people who they accused of practicing witchcraft.
The eight suspects – Johannes Hendrina (41), Thomas Titus Natangwe (41), Sakaria Uushona Iipinge (32), Kamati Akuunda Gebhard (86), Itembu Ikanda Sakaria, Shituna Gotlieb, Mupetami Oscar Shimbamba (50) and Gebhard Liina Kangwe (57) – appeared before magistrate Nelao ya France.
They were all denied bail, and the matter was postponed to 18 March 2024 for further police investigations.
Attack
According to a preliminary police report, the incident happened on 19 October at Oontanda village in Omuntele area when the group of eight allegedly attacked and threatened to kill Thomas Kanyemba and Taimi Mbangula by beating them with wet sticks and a panga.
It is alleged that the eight suspects carried out the attack because they believe the two victims practice witchcraft.
They were arrested on 24 October and now face five charges each.
The charges are assault by threat of common purpose, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, contravening Section 1 of the Witchcraft Suppression Proclamation 27 of 1933, assault by threat and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm for common purpose.
Hendriks Tholiso Tholiso is the state prosecutor.
- [email protected]
The eight suspects – Johannes Hendrina (41), Thomas Titus Natangwe (41), Sakaria Uushona Iipinge (32), Kamati Akuunda Gebhard (86), Itembu Ikanda Sakaria, Shituna Gotlieb, Mupetami Oscar Shimbamba (50) and Gebhard Liina Kangwe (57) – appeared before magistrate Nelao ya France.
They were all denied bail, and the matter was postponed to 18 March 2024 for further police investigations.
Attack
According to a preliminary police report, the incident happened on 19 October at Oontanda village in Omuntele area when the group of eight allegedly attacked and threatened to kill Thomas Kanyemba and Taimi Mbangula by beating them with wet sticks and a panga.
It is alleged that the eight suspects carried out the attack because they believe the two victims practice witchcraft.
They were arrested on 24 October and now face five charges each.
The charges are assault by threat of common purpose, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, contravening Section 1 of the Witchcraft Suppression Proclamation 27 of 1933, assault by threat and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm for common purpose.
Hendriks Tholiso Tholiso is the state prosecutor.
- [email protected]
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