Man in court for granny’s witchcraft-related killing

A 29-year-old man who allegedly hacked his grandmother to death in an apparent witchcraft-related attack appeared in the Giyani magistrate’s court last Wednesday.

Bongani Chauke from Mshiyani village is accused of killing his grandmother, Miluva Chauke (83), whom he reportedly blamed for his mother, Anna Chauke’s (52) death a week ago.

His mother died after a short illness and was buried last week Saturday.

Provincial police spokesperson, Col Ronél Otto, said after the funeral, Chauke allegedly started accusing his grandmother of causing his mother’s death by bewitching her.

“He allegedly hacked her to death with an axe.”

She said he fled the scene after the incident but was arrested later. Chauke was remanded in police custody pending further investigations.

He was due to appear again at the time of going to print (yesterday).