THE STATE v FREEMAN MAHLABEZULU MUNKULI

HB 202/19

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Case Details

Court

Bulawayo High Court

Date

15 November 2019

Citation

HB 202/19

Neutral Citation

[2019] ZWHB 202

Outcome

unknown

Case Type

Trial

Bench

Presiding

MABHIKWA J

Full Bench

MABHIKWA JMr T. E. Ndlovu (Assessor)Mr J.L.M. Zulu (Assessor)

Areas of Law

Criminal LawCriminal Procedure

Keywords

MurderAttempted MurderIntentMental DisorderWitchcraftAxe

Key Issues

{"issue_text":"Whether the accused had the requisite intent to murder Chilemba Mudenda.","issue_type":"fact","dispositive":"yes","related_facts":"Use of lethal weapon, nature of attack, statements about killing witches"}
{"issue_text":"Whether the accused was mentally disordered or acting automatically at the time of the offenses.","issue_type":"mixed","dispositive":"yes","related_facts":"Accused's claim of strange spirit and blackouts, psychiatric report findings"}
{"issue_text":"Whether the accused attempted to murder Terezia Munkuli and Sofia Siamulemba.","issue_type":"fact","dispositive":"yes","related_facts":"Striking victims with axe, statements of intent to kill"}

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background

Facts of the Case

Background

The accused, Freeman Mahlabezulu Munkuli, was charged with the murder of 86-year-old Chilemba Mudenda and the attempted murder of two other individuals, Terezia Munkuli and Sofia Siamulemba. The accused claimed he was acting under the influence of a strange spirit and had blackouts, but the court found he was motivated by a belief in witchcraft and had full appreciation of his actions.

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