Witchdoctor handed one-year term to ‘sleepwalk’

AFTER causing commotion at the Choma Magistrates’ Court by escaping from lawful custody, a 42-year-old witchdoctor accused of raping his 17-year-old patient now claims he suffers from an “illness” that causes him to run around aimlessly for between 30 minutes and an hour.

For escaping lawful custody, magistrate Cynthia Kapembwa sentenced Shyvin Muchinga to one year in jail so he can enjoy “sleepwalking” in a correctional facility.

Around 11am recently, while being taken to a holding cell by the police, Muchinga, a farmer and traditional healer from Munganga village in Choma, escaped. This prompted an officer to fire two warning gunshots, which attracted the attention of people who were around the magistrates’ court.

The escape mission, however, failed as the public helped the police to apprehend Muchinga near Chuundu Secondary School.

This was shortly after the court adjourned the trial of Muchinga, who is facing two counts of rape and illegal possession of a firearm.

After the failed escape, Muchinga was taken back into court to answer to a charge of escaping lawful custody, to which he pleaded guilty but with an explanation.

“I wasn’t feeling myself and I don’t even know what was happening. I am sick; even my family knows that I have this disease which makes me run around for 30 minutes to one hour.

“I didn’t know what was happening, so people just told me to say ‘you did this and that’,” he said.

Magistrate

Kapembwa asked Muchinga if he had justification for escaping lawful custody, to which he said no.

In mitigation, Muchinga asked the court to forgive him because he was not himself but it was the “sickness” that had influenced his escape.

Magistrate Kapembwa convicted him and sentenced him to one year in prison.

“Since you say you sleepwalk, you can now go and enjoy your sleepwalking in a correctional facility,” she said. — Wires

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Family keeps bomb as garden ornament

A couple that kept an unexploded missile as a garden ornament for decades was ready to “go out with our home and everything in it”, after a bomb disposal unit told them it needed to be detonated. Jeffrey and Sian Edwards had kept the 19th-century relic outside their home after moving in back in 1982. Mr Edwards, who has lived on the same street in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, for 74 years, said he was told by the property’s original occupants it had been there for more than a century.

But he was forced to bid an emotional farewell to the old armament this week after police knocked on the door on Wednesday evening and said it would need to be investigated by the Ministry of Defence.

Later that night, he got the call to say a bomb squad would arrive the next day — and the street could be evacuated.

“We didn’t sleep a wink that night,” the 77-year-old told Sky News.

“We’ve lived in this house for 41 years, have known it all these years, and I told the bomb squad, ‘if you evacuate the street, the wife and I are not leaving our home — we’re staying here.’”

Mr Edwards had long assumed the bomb had no charge, and thought it was a dummy missile used during navy training exercises before the First World War.

He told the bomb disposal unit that “if it’s live and does go off ”, the couple would lose their home and possessions.

“We’ll go out with our home and everything with it,” he told them.

Fortunately, the squad discovered, while it had a “light charge”, it was unlikely to go off and could be moved without evacuating anyone.

It was detonated at a disused quarry nearby at night. — Wires

Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 19)

YOU are feeling a little tongue-tied this week when Vesta backs into your communication zone on Wednesday. This placement can turn your thoughts into weapons, so this could be an anxious time.

Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20)

As 2023 comes to a close, you might be feeling some money anxieties when Vesta backs into your value zone on Wednesday. Focus on your budget without fixating on what you lack.

Gemini (May 21 - Jun 20)

This week could get a little rough when retrograde Vesta enters your sign on Wednesday. This move might make you anxious about the new year and breaking out of your comfort zone. Be gentle with yourself as you face your fears, Gemini.

Cancer (Jun 21 - Jul 22)

As the year comes to an end, important chapters in your life start to close when retrograde Vesta enters your subconscious zone on Wednesday. These endings could cause anxiety as you try to cling to the past, even if it no longer serves you.

Leo (Jul 23 - Aug 22)

You are starting the week on an awkward note when retrograde Vesta enters your social zone on Wednesday. You might feel a little excluded in the group chat during the holiday season. Do not take anything too personally now, Leo.

Virgo (Aug 23 - Sep 22)

You are feeling a little anxious about your career this week when retrograde Vesta enters your reputation zone on Wednesday. Take a step back to find your path again.

Libra (Sep 23 - Oct 22)

You could have a hard time focusing on anything when retrograde Vesta enters your expansion zone on Wednesday, so the holidays are not a great time for studying.

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21)

You are feeling stubborn this week when retrograde Vesta enters your transformation zone on Wednesday. You might be tempted to cling to things that no longer serve you.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

Retrograde Vesta enters your partnership zone on Wednesday, Sagittarius, so do yourself a favour and do not sign any contracts until after the new year.

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

You could have a hard time being self-disciplined this week once retrograde Vesta enters your habit zone on Wednesday. Anxiety and a lack of focus can make it hard to achieve anything. Practise self-care as you find a new routine that works for you.

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

You will have a hard time expressing yourself once retrograde Vesta enters your pleasure zone on Wednesday. This retrograde can give you anxiety and create mental blocks.

Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

This week could easily see some family feuds when retrograde Vesta enters your home zone on Wednesday. If you do not have emotional support, the holiday dinner could be a little rough. Practise self-care and ask for help when you need it. — Horoscope. com