Tsikamutandas terrorise Nyanyadzi villagers
TWO dubious traditional healers popularly known as tsikamutandas have unleashed a reign of terror in Nyanyadzi where hapless villagers have lost hundreds of cattle and goats in the recent months.
VILLAGERS are being forced to attend cleansing ceremonies where the extortionists claim to be removing goblins, snakes and mubobobo among other forms of witchcraft.
The Manica Post also learnt that the notorious witchdoctors are buying fleets of cars and splashing money on beer and ladies around the business centre.
Recently the police ordered them to leave the area after one of them forcibly occupied an octogenarian, Mrs Sarah Gumbo (83)’s compound in Dirikwe Village and set base there.
The tsikamutandas were brought to the compound by Mrs Gumbo’s grandson only identi- fied as Jumbo, who accused her of bewitching him.
According to Section 97 of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, it is an offence to “accuse a person of witchcraft”.
The witchdoctors allegedly pitched their red and black garments in Mrs Gumbo’s yard, as well as a stick that they refer to as a network ‘ booster’.
The ‘ booster’ reportedly works after a person holds it and allegedly exposes the person’s evil deeds.
“I am currently staying at my daughter’s place in the same area.
“My grandson, Jumbo brought these people to my compound in my absence and set their base there.
“I approached the police and they were given notice to vacate my yard, but they refused.
“They claim that they have letters authorising their operations from the Office of the President and Cabinet.
“Many people have lost their livestock to these witchdoctors,” said Mr Gumbo.
“Jumbo was struck by electricity in 1999 and was left disabled.
“Now he is accusing me of bewitching him and wants tsikamutanda to do a cleansing ceremony on me.
“I don’t want and I don’t believe in them.
“Even the village heard, Mr Thomas Muchirawetu wants them to leave our village, but they are resisting,” she added.
Mr Muchirawetu could not be reached for comment at the time of going to Press.
However, Mrs Gumbo’s daughter, Miriam and husband, Mr Killer Gusvu have since approached the courts for redress since the police have failed to remove the tsikamutandas from the community.