Chikombedzi man kidnapped and circumcised against his wish

circumcision

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A Shangaan traditionalist who teamed up with nine others and allegedly kidnapped a fellow villager before forcing him to undergo circumcision at a secluded camp appeared in court last week.

Masenyani Mandhalele (29) of Mutomani Village in Chilonga communal lands appeared before Chiredzi magistrate Mr Tinashe Ndokera facing kidnapping and indecent assault charges. His nine accomplices are still at large.
 
They allegedly kidnapped John Chakabaya (59) of the same village before taking him for the annual Shangaan circumcision rites in the bush where they kept him for 12 days while naked in August 2010.
 
Mandhalele who had gone into hiding in neighbouring South Africa until his arrest last week was remanded in custody to this week.
 
Allegations against Mandhalele are that on 31 August, 2010, he teamed up with his nine colleagues and confronted Chakabaya who was cutting some poles in a bush near his home in Chilonga communal lands.
 
Prosecutor Mr Liberty Hove said the 10 allegedly kidnapped him and forced him to walk for 30 kilometres to Chikulungu circumcision camp in Chikombedzi.
 
On arrival, they allegedly forced him to undergo an HIV and Aids test done by some doctors before putting him under the knife as is done to all Shangaan men under their culture.
 
It is alleged that they kept Chakabaya naked in the bush for 12 days and also denied him medication. Chakabaya made a report at Ndali Police Station after he managed to escape from the circumcision camp.
 
After getting wind that they were being sought by police, Maseyani and his accomplices fled into neighbouring South Africa. Mandhalele was arrested last week after he sneaked back into the country