Arrangement of Sections.
Section
Interpretation.
Imputation of witchcraft.
Evidence of reputation.
CHAPTER 124
THE WITCHCRAFT ACT.
An Act to make provision for the prevention of witchcraft and the punishment
of persons practising witchcraft.
1. Interpretation.
For the purposes of this Act, witchcraft does not include bona fide spirit worship or
the bona fide manufacture, supply or sale of native medicines.
Any person who directly or indirectly threatens another with death by witchcraft or by
any other supernatural means commits an offence and is liable on conviction to
imprisonment for life.
Any person who directly or indirectly threatens to cause disease or any physical
harm to another, or to cause disease or harm to any livestock or harm to any
property of whatever sort or another by witchcraft or by any other supernatural
means commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period
not exceeding ten years.
Any person who practises witchcraft or who holds himself or herself out as a witch,
whether on one or more occasions, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years.
Any person who hires or procures another person to practise witchcraft or who for
evil purposes consults or consorts with another who practises witchcraft or holds
himself or herself out as a witch commits an offence and is liable on conviction to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years.
3. Imputation of witchcraft.
Any person who, other than to a person in authority, imputes the use of
witchcraft to another, if any harm results to that other as a result of the imputation,
commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not
exceeding five years.
Any person, other than a person in authority acting in the course of his or her duty, in
whose possession or control any article used in practising witchcraft is found, other
than bona fide for scientific purposes or as a curio, commits an offence and is liable
on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years.
In any prosecution under this section the prosecution shall be required to show that
the article found is by common repute or belief an article which is used for the
purposes of witchcraft, but shall not be required to show the particular purpose or
significance of the article.
5. Evidence of reputation.
Notwithstanding the provisions of any law or practice to the contrary, where any
person is charged with the commission of an offence under this Act, evidence may
be adduced
A court on convicting any person for an offence against this Act shall order the
confiscation and destruction of any article brought before it either before or after the
trial which the court is satisfied was or might have been used in the commission of
the offence.