Investigations by The Standard revealed that cleansing ceremonies in the Masunda and Shiku areas were being conducted with the blessings of traditional leaders and police were allegedly clearing the movement of cattle paid by villagers accused of dabbling in witchcraft.
Chief Simon Masunda allegedly authorised the witch-hunts last year. The tsikamutandas were only identified as Gowurane, Ngwenya and Maguranyanga.
Headman Samuel Venge Shiku told The Standard at Masunda growth point that Ngwenya and Gowurane had since moved away from his area while Maguranyanga was still active.
“These people were recommended by Chief Masunda to us. We agreed to invite them as villagers,” Shiku said.
He said all the livestock that had been collected from the area was cleared by the police before it was moved to other areas by the witch-hunters.
“People are told of their evil possessions and they volunteer to be exorcised,” Shiku said.
Shiku said “mysterious” things that were allegedly used for witchcraft had been discovered in several homes.
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He claimed that only the Johane Marange Apostolic sect members were boycotting the ceremonies for religious reasons.
Some villagers claimed that they were misled to believe that the witch-hunters were sent by the government.
Shiku volunteered to help track down Maguranyanga at Tom Chivi village, about 5km away from his home.
On arrival at the base, the crew was introduced to kraal heads, Munikwa, Boilous Shonhayi Chimamiwa and John Mafuma Mafurire.
A herd of 10 cattle that had been surrendered as payment for the cleansing services by villagers was still tied to trees nearby.
However, Maguranyanga was said to have travelled to Zvishavane on business while his assistants were said to have gone to another ward 20km from Tom Chivi village.The three kraal heads also said no one was forced to attend ceremonies.
They said as leaders they supported Maguranyanga’s activities.
The witch-hunters are allegedly charging “witches and wizards” two beasts each while victims pay one beast to be exorcised. A villager, Mafuma Mafurire said he had paid two goats after the tsikamutandas had removed a bad spell affecting his family.
The witch-hunters are said to be between the ages of 30 and 45. Shiku said he does not know their full names. He said Maguranyanga is originally from Chinhoyi.Officer Commanding Zvisha-vane District, Chief Superintendent Alphio Maphosa was not available for comment last week as he was said to be in Harare. Chief Masunda was also not reachable for comment.
