A Bulawayo traditional healer is facing a murder charge after a client d!ed during a cleansing ceremony last month.
Livingstone Sibanda, from Cowdray Park, appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Challenge Mahembe last week.
Because murder cases fall under the High Court, Sibanda was not asked to enter a plea. The matter will now proceed in the High Court.
He was granted US$150 bail by the High Court and told to return for routine remand on 15 July.
Bail conditions include residing at his given address, reporting to Cowdray Park Police every Monday, and not contacting State witnesses.
According to prosecutor Josephine Gurazhira, on 21 June the d£ceased and his sister visited Sibanda’s home. They had gone to seek assistance to “remove evil spirits” from their house.
During the ritual, the court heard, Sibanda gave the man a tuber-like herb to eat.
Shortly after eating it, the man began vomiting non-stop. Sibanda reportedly tried to give first aid, but the vomiting continued. As the man’s condition worsened, Sibanda called for an ambulance.
Paramedics who arrived on scene examined him and confirmed he had d!ed. His body was taken for a post-mortem to determine the exact cause of d£ath.
Sibanda is being represented by Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire of Mashayamombe Law Firm.