Divided Rastas worry magistrate
Even senior resident magistrate at the Blantyre Magistrate’s Court, Viva Nyimba, expressed what was on every neutral mind: Rastas are peaceful and united.
So it was a wonder they were fighting for supremacy in the Malawi courts.
Presiding over a case in which Ras George Jere, Ras Henrick Chibwana and Zigona Siliva are answering charges of assault causing bodily harm, Nyimba said Chilomoni Police in Blantyre should mediate in the case.
The accused are suspected of causing havoc at a Rastas’ tabernacle in the township.
“We know Rastas as peacemakers and a united people. Therefore, it is a wonder that this kind of thing happened. I adjourn this case to October 24, but before that, police must bring the two conflicting sides together,” said Nyimba.
The three accused, belonging to a rival Rasta faction, the Nyabinghi Rastafari Church, are believed to have invaded a Rastas’ tabernacle in Chilomoni, currently under the Nyabinghi Theocratic Reign Malawi, over land squabbles on August 31 2013.
According to Chilomoni Police prosecutor sub-inspector Amos Mwase, if the mediation at the station’s victim support unit fails the case will be back in court.
“After a hearing on Thursday, the magistrate said we [police] can mediate with the Rastas. But if the two sides don’t agree, then we the case will be back in court,” said Mwase.
