6 years jail for forced circumcision

CHIREDZI — In a ruling that has left Shangani traditional leaders tongue-tied, a local clansman, Masenyani Mandhalele of Chilonga Village, Chief Sengwe,was last week slapped with a six-year jail term after he kidnapped a fellow villager and circumcised him against his will.

Mandhalele (29) was convicted on one count of leading a team of youths which kidnapped John Chakabaya and force-marched him to their circumcision clinic in the bushes where they then circumcised him.

Madhalele was convicted and sentenced despite his plea of not guilty when he appeared before Chiredzi magistrate Tinashe Ndokera last Friday.

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