Fadzayi Mahere Sheds Light on Witchcraft Law Following Natalie Mhandu’s Arrest (Image Credit: Instagram @zim_iron_lady)
Fadzayi Mahere Sheds Light on Witchcraft Law Following Natalie Mhandu’s Arrest
The arrest of popular socialite and video vixen Natalie ‘Enchantress’ Mhandu on allegations of practising witchcraft has reignited national interest in Zimbabwe’s complex legal framework surrounding witchcraft accusations Enchantress was taken into custody on Wednesday, 6 August, after her former friends filed a criminal complaint, claiming she used rituals to bewitch them While full details of the charges remain unclear, the arrest prompted lawyer and former MP Advocate Fadzayi Mahere to weigh in on what Zimbabwean law actually says about witchcraft Also Read:Natalie “Enchantress” Mhandu Nabbed For Witchcraft
Taking to her X (formerly Twitter) account, Mahere clarified that although Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] includes specific sections addressing witchcraft and related offences, these laws are challenging to enforce
“FYI – There is a whole section of the Criminal Code dedicated to criminalising witchcraft, witch-finding and related crimes However, these offences, especially witchcraft, are extremely difficult to prove because the law imposes an extremely high threshold on the State to prove witchcraft with intent to cause harm,” Fadzayi Mahere wrote She explained that intent to cause harm and expert evidence are crucial elements for a successful prosecution Without proving that someone’s actions caused genuine fear or potential injury using non-natural means, the law offers little room to convict
“The prosecution needs to call an expert to prove what constitutes witchcraft because “conduct commonly associated with witchcraft is not defined You also have to prove intent to cause harm and that the practice inspired a real fear of harm on the part of the alleged victim None of these elements is straightforward.”
Source: iHarare
All Zim News
All Zim News is a central hub for all things Zimbabwean, curating news from across the country so no story is missed Alongside aggregation, our team of nationwide reporters provides real-time, on-the-ground coverage
Stay informed and connected — reach us at admin@allzimnews.com.
Source: Iharare
