Court rejects bishop appeal over exorcism death

The High Court rejected an appeal by a Zion Christian Church bishop who was jailed for the death of a congregant during an exorcism. Justice Ngoni Nduna ruled that religious healing practices do not excuse physical assaults that result in fatal injuries. Defense lawyers argued that the physical contact was a traditional spiritual ritual intended to heal rather than harm the victim. Medical evidence presented during the trial proved that the victim died directly from severe injuries inflicted during the beating. The core vulnerability of faith-based healing practices remains their legal liability when rituals violate national criminal laws.