Woman to spend 18 month in jail for calling someone a witch

Probably, she never saw it coming! But 52 year-old Margrate Mbada will spend the next 18 months in jail for calling someone a witch. This is contrary to Section 4 of the Witchcraft Act.

Nsanje First Grade Magistrate Court learnt that on February 5, 2023 the convict went to the house of the victim crying while accusing her of bewitching her nephew.

State prosecutor Sub-Inspector Victor Nachuma told the court that Mbada had also threatened to bring her nephew’s dead body for the victim to eat or bury.

Reports indicate this followed her nephew’s fainting due to celebral malaria but later she was well. The victim lodged a complaint with the police, leading to Mbada’s arrest.

In court, Mbada pleaded guilty and asked for leniency; saying she is a widow and breadwinner. But Nachuma asked for a custodial sentence describing the crime committed as serious.

First Grade Magistrate Watson Mankhanamba concurred with the state’s submission and handed the convict 18 months Imprisonment with Hard Labour to deter other would be-offenders.

Mbada comes from Dumba village in the area of Senior Chief Tengani in the Nsanje.