Man calls for ancestral intervention in court

Michael Mashiri

A man from Kuwadzana Extension, who appeared in court in traditional healer attire with beads on his hands and neck has been remanded in custody where his mental status will be reviewed by a psychiatrist before his next court appearance.

Forget Mutizwa (37), who appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court accused of physical harassment and intimidation, was remanded in custody to December 2022 by Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi.

Mangosi, who was presiding over the case, asked why he had come to court dressed in that manner and he said: “I want to summon the ancestors to speak to me, there is need for us to be in constant communication.

Zimbabwean courts have a European based dress code.

“This place calls for an ancestral intervention, living in prison is painful, please!

“I am talking to the ancestors now and things are not well.”

Forget is a brother to the complainants, Nyasha Mutizwa (25) and Tsitsi Mutizwa (25).

The court heard that on 24 November, 2022 at around 0600 hours, Mutizwa, who had not been home for over one-and-a-half months, suddenly appeared.

He started shouting while he was standing outside and came in holding a knife and a hoe, shouting at Nyasha and Tsitsi, threatening to kill them.

According to Nyasha, Forget attempted to strike him with the hoe, but he managed to run away. Forget later went on a rampage, destroying windows and doors.

On her part, Tsitsi said that Forget approached her at the sink and started running after her saying he wanted to kill her and her brother.

Mangosi ordered that Forget Mutizwa be checked by a psychiatrist.