Sons Bash Father in Goblin, Wife-Snatching Fury

Gweru — Family drama reached a boiling point in Mambo, Gweru, this week, landing two brothers in trouble after a brutal, blood-soaked showdown with their 66-year-old father over sensational accusations of witchcraft, wretched poverty and a stolen bride.

President Mukanga (26) and his brother Sacrifice (38) narrowly escaped immediate prison time after a Gweru Magistrate slapped them with a 12-month sentence for viciously assaulting their elderly father, Alford Mukanga.

The nightmare unfolded around 8pm on October 10, when Sacrifice and President, backed by their two other brothers, Norest and Simbarashe, stormed their father’s residence.

What started as a volatile family meeting quickly morphed into a harrowing scene of violence.

According to court proceedings before Magistrate Deon Chirayi, Sacrifice spearheaded the furious tirade, screaming that their lifelong poverty was the direct result of dark magic wielded by their own father.

Tensions skyrocketed when the raging brothers accused the elderly man of hoarding 10 hidden goblins, demanding he produce the mystical creatures on the spot, or face horrific consequences.

When a bewildered Alford failed to conjure up the mythical beasts, the attack turned savage.

Sacrifice delivered a vicious punch straight to his father's face, while another brother smashed a coffee mug over the old man's head twice.

As Alford crumpled, President waded in, joining the frenzied mob in a brutal onslaught of kicks raining down across the victim's face and chest.

The savage beating only came to a halt when they heard terrified neighbours and fellow tenants gathering outside.

The battered elderly man was medically examined following the attack, sustaining a bleeding nose and chest pain.

But when Magistrate Chirayi demanded to know why they had committed the offense, President said he was bitter.

“I was deeply touched and still am bitter about my father, who snatched my wife when I was in South Africa,” he told the court.

According to the State outline, the father, who is believed to be a traditional healer, allegedly became involved with his daughter-in-law while she was still married to President.

Having reported the horrific assault and betrayal to the police, Alford dealt with the aftermath of the violence.

Magistrate Chirayi handed down a 12-month sentence to both President and Sacrifice, however, the court suspended three months on condition of good behavior and the remaining nine months on condition that the pair complete 315 hours of community service at Gweru Magistrate Court.