Man Acquitted After Killing His Mother in Witchcraft Row

• A 47-year-old man, Amad Nyathi, acquitted of killing his mother.
• Magistrate ruled Nyathi acted in self-defense due to an attack.
• Witnesses confirmed the violent nature of the altercation.

Man Acquitted After Killing Mother in Self-Defense

A 47-year-old man, Amad Nyathi, walked out of court a free man on Monday after being acquitted of culpable homicide. The ruling came from Bulawayo magistrate Matthew Mutiro, who determined that Nyathi acted in self-defense during a violent confrontation with his mother, Sikhangele Nyathi, which occurred on January 13, 2017. The case, marked by allegations of witchcraft, left the community in shock and raised questions about the events leading up to the tragic outcome.

Background of Tensions and Spiritual Accusations

According to the court proceedings, tensions had been building between Nyathi and his mother for some time. Nyathi had engaged self-styled prophets who purportedly claimed that his mother was responsible for a series of mysterious deaths in their family. This revelation escalated tensions, leading to a situation in which Nyathi felt compelled to take action when his mother attacked him after he attempted to cleanse their home by burning her alleged “altar garments.”

Witness Accounts Spark Inquiry into Events

Witnesses to the incident recounted the dramatic and disturbing events that unfolded. Nyathi’s mother reportedly attacked him with a walking stick and even hurled a brick at him during the altercation. In a particularly desperate moment, Nyathi wrestled the stick from her and struck her several times, an act that ultimately led to her fleeing to a neighbor’s home, where she was later pronounced dead after a hospital stay of six days. A neighbor, Siphathisiwe Mhlanga, corroborated Nyathi’s account, describing the horrific scene and social dynamics that prevented anyone from intervening during the attack.

The acquittal of Amad Nyathi has brought attention to the complexities of a case involving familial conflict and alleged witchcraft. The ruling from Magistrate Mutiro underscores the court’s view that actions taken under duress, especially amid a backdrop of longstanding disputes, should be carefully considered. While the son is now free, the tragic loss of a life continues to resonate within the community that witnessed this unsettling episode.