The Sunday News
Tinomuda Chakanyuka Sunday News Reporter
CONTROVERSIAL witch-hunters, popularly known as tsikamutanda have struck gold in Ntabazinduna, in Matabeleland North Province, where they have opened a butchery at the business centre, to sell meat from cattle they are taking from villagers after allegedly offering them help. The witch-hunters, who have been camped in Ntabazinduna for the past three months, demand livestock from villagers after “treating” them of various ailments or after “exorcising evil spirits” from their homesteads. For treatment of diseases, the witch hunters demand payment in chickens or goats, while for exorcism they demand a cow per homestead. If one does not have livestock, they are forced to pay in cash.
Angry but timid villagers are expressing their dismay in hushed voices for fear of censure as the witch hunters are in area allegedly at the behest of the Chief Nhlanhla Ndiweni. One of the witch-hunters, Mr Kumbulani Moyo, whose trade name is Gava, confirmed the development which he said was a joint venture among all the witch hunters operating in the area.
Gava is a Shona name for a Jackal, a well-known scavenger. The 39-year-old Gava said the idea to open a butchery came after realising that they needed to add value to their operations by investing in a commercial venture.
There are more than 10 “witch hunters” operating in Ntabazinduna and are camped in a village known as Mavolunteer. Gava also confirmed that they were invited into the area by the chief.
“Yes, we are running a butchery at the township. We sell some of the cattle but some we slaughter them and sell the meat at the butchery. The idea came about after we realised that we could not sell all of the cattle we get. Slaughtering adds value. A live beast normally is sold at around $400 but if we slaughter it we realise around $600,” he said.
A source said they slaughter an average of five cattle a month, although Gava was could not release the figures.
In addition, Gava refuted allegations that they were duping people of their cattle, saying their work was genuine and people were not coerced to participate in their rituals.
“We don’t force people to come to us. People come on their own according to their concerns and we attend. We first agree on the price then we do our work and the person pays. If someone does not agree with our terms they are free not to take part in our activities,” he said.
Mavolunteer village head Mr Joseph Dube confirmed the witch hunters’ rich pickings in the area adding that a number of people had lost livestock to the group. Mr Dube said he has lost three goats to the witch hunters whom he said were treating him of his swollen right leg which he has been having problems with for more than five years.
“They are making a killing. A lot of people have lost cattle to these people. They sell some of the cattle and slaughter some for sale at their butchery. I’ve approached them with my swollen leg and they charged me three goats. It has been a couple of days now since they started treating me but I am not seeing any improvement,” he said.
Mr Dube said he was not sure if the witch hunters were genuine or fake.
Another villager Mr Douglas Mdlongwa said he turned away the witch hunters from his homestead after he disagreed with what they were proposing.
“I didn’t have any business with them. They came here and did not even spend 10 minutes. I don’t know if they are genuine or not, and I can’t speak for other people but I hear people saying they are genuine. I have no business with them,” he said.
Chief Ndiweni was not available for comment as he was said to be out of the country.
Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (Zinatha) president Mr George Kandiero said his association was constrained from taking action as the witch hunters will be operating with the blessings of local leaders. He, however, warned members of the public not to entertain witch hunters or any traditional healers who do not have practising licences.
