Workmates sued over witchcraft allegations

A MAKONI woman sued her workmates and friends for alleging that she caused her best friend’s miscarriage through witchcraft. “I was shocked when I received the summons to appear before this court. I enjoy cordial relationships with these women.”

It is alleged that Emily Mafondokoto suffered a miscarriage a few hours after a heated argument with her friend, Patricia Ngwendo over an unpaid debt.

The two women are vendors at a produce market in Rusape.

When she appeared before Chief Makoni’s community court recently, Patricia Ngwendo, denied any involvement in Mafondokoto’s miscarriage. She said she is a victim of false accusations and harassment.

Besides being vendors at the same market place, Mafondokoto and Ngwendo are also neighbours in Rusape.

Ngwendo also sued Tambudzai Chinaka and Thandie Pateni, accusing them of spreading rumours that she was a witch.

She claimed two beasts from Chinaka and Pateni for labelling her a witch.

“Mafondokoto and I were friends before this misunderstanding. I believe she is the one going around tarnishing my name, and accusing me of witchcraft after our nasty fallout.

“We had a misunderstanding after Mafondokoto bought a scarf on credit and in my name, but failed to pay it. She had a miscarriage after we quarrelled.

“I would see them talking in hushed tones as a group. I later heard Pateni saying they were discussing that I caused Mafondokoto’s miscarriage. At one time, I heard Chanaka saying I was a witch,” she said.

Ngwendo also begged Chief Makoni to stop the women from tarnishing her image.

Chanaka vehemently denied spreading rumours about Ngwendo.

“I was shocked when I received the summons to appear before this court. I enjoy cordial relationships with these women. I know that Mafondokoto suffered a miscarriage after she had a heated misunderstanding with Ngwendo. However, I do not know the cause of the miscarriage, and I pray for an exoneration from this matter,” she said.

However, Pateni, who was supposed to be Ngwendo’s key witness, denied ever telling her that she was being accused of causing the miscarriage.

Pateni said she approached Ngwendo to advise her against fighting her friend.

“She is lying against me. I never told her anything of that nature. Ngwendo and Mafondokoto have always had a love-hate relationship. They are always fighting and shouting at each other in public. They are always at loggerheads.” said Pateni.

Chief Makoni dismissed the case because of lack of evidence. He rubbished the claims, saying that they were mere rumours, and advised Ngwendo to avail evidence in the form of recordings or videos the next time she reports such a matter.

“Next time, you should record all those who tell you something like this. You will not have any challenges to prove your case. Pateni has let you down by testifying against you. We cannot force her to admit that she heard these ladies labelling you a witch,”he said.

However, this did not go down well with Ngwendo who felt shortchanged.

She said would report the matter to a different community court.