Zimbabwean man accused of killing 'witch'

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- A 25-year-old in a small Zimbabwean village killed a woman, whom he accused of being a witch, by hitting her with a burning log, authorities have alleged.

Prosecutor Fritz Madida alleged in a court in the southwestern district of Tsholotsho that Thandazani Moyo accused a woman of being a witch last month, moments before he attacked her with a log, The New Zimbabwean said Friday.

Madida said Tuesday that Moyo arrived home in the province of Matabeleland North on Aug. 19 and allegedly began attacking his wife and children.

"He followed them wielding a burning log," Madida alleged in court.

The family members fled to the home of a neighbor, Margaret Mabhena, whom Moyo accused of being a witch and allegedly attacked with the log.

Madida told the court that Mabhena died in the alleged attack by Moyo, the New Zimbabwean reported.