The High Court in Zimbabwe has ruled that Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot be forced to take part in traditional ceremonies or be discriminated against as a result.
In a judgment delivered on September 29, but only seen last week, the High Court in Mutare ruled in favour of Tobias Gabaza, Wonder Muposheri and Jabulani Sithole, who were under attack for refusing to participate in a rainmaking ceremony held in their village that violated their religious beliefs.
In October 2020, the three were summoned to appear before a court presided over by a chief after another villager insisted that they make contributions for a local rainmaking ceremony.
The ceremony involves invoking the spirits of the dead with the intention of bringing rain, and each villager was asked to contribute.
Citing their religious beliefs, the three declined to contribute or participate in the ceremony.
The chief ruled against them and threatened them in an attempt to coerce them to comply. The three Witnesses appealed to the Chipinge Magistrates Court, which ruled in their favour.
However, the village leaders ignored the ruling and continued to attack the trio. Additionally, other villagers ostracised and mistreated them.
They then appealed to the High Court which ruled that the villagers had violated the rights of the Witnesses.
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It also ordered the villagers to exempt them from traditional activities that violated their beliefs and to pay damages.
Observers said the ruling was a relief for Witnesses in the country, as traditional rainmaking ceremonies were widespread.
