A female tenant was stabbed by her landlord for praying in her room before dawn. The incident, which unfolded in the Magamba suburb in the early hours of Tuesday, September 23, has sent shockwaves through the local community, revealing a tale of suspicion and alleged possession.
According to state prosecutors and accounts from fellow tenants, the altercation began when the landlord, Nomsa Sambayi (38), allegedly entered the room of her tenant, Margaret Chiduku (27), around 3 a.m. The tenant was reportedly deep in prayer when the door swung open. Fellow residents described a sudden and terrifying escalation, with Sambayi accusing Chiduku of using her religious devotions for dark purposes.
Tenant Stabbed By Landlord Accusing Her Of Being A Witch
The verbal assault quickly turned physical in a brutal and sustained attack. Witnesses state that Sambayi was armed with a kitchen knife and did not hesitate to use it. The situation deteriorated further when the accused allegedly picked up a brick to continue the assault. It was only through the swift intervention of other tenants living on the property that the violence was halted, preventing what could have been an even graver outcome.
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Ms Faith Mutukwa, representing the State, outlined the chilling sequence of events in the Rusape Magistrate’s Court. She stated,
“Sambayi is Chiduku’s landlord. On September 23, 2025, at around 3am, at 2239 Old Magamba, Rusape, the complainant was inside her room praying when the accused person opened the unlocked door, holding a kitchen knife. Sambayi then began shouting at the complainant, accusing her of being a witch who pretended to be a Christian.”
Landlord Appears In Court For The Stabbing
The legal proceedings took a strange turn when Sambayi made her appearance before Magistrate Mrs Barbara Mateko. Charged with assault, the accused was unrepresented and did not enter a plea. However, her behaviour in the courtroom raised further questions about her state of mind. Sambayi was reported to be visibly unwell and displaying significant signs of stress, and was heard mumbling about being under the influence of a malevolent spirit.
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Despite the seriousness of the charges, Sambayi was released from custody after her court appearance. The magistrate remanded the case until September 30 for the recording of a formal plea. The victim, Margret Chiduku, did not escape the ordeal unscathed. The State prosecutor confirmed the extent of her injuries, noting,
“The accused person subsequently stabbed Chiduku twice on the face, once on the left arm with a kitchen knife, and struck her three times on the head with a brick. Chiduku sustained cuts on the head and arm, and was medically examined.”
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The post Tenant Stabbed By Landlord For Praying In Her Room appeared first on iHarare News.
