Tsikamutanda Wreaks Havoc In Zaka
A Self-styled traditional healer, commonly known as Tsikamutanda, is reportedly on the rampage in villages under Chief Nhema in Zaka, sexually abusing underage girls and demanding livestock from their poor parents in a development that has angered the community and asking for government intervention.
The Tsikamutanda, who is operating in Muramba, Matara and Chiredzana villages in Zaka East is said to be demanding property, including household items, livestock and as well as money, after a purporting to have conducted successful cleansing ceremonies at their homesteads in which he would have exorcised spirits of witchcraft and casting away goblins planted by their enemies.
The rampaging traditional healer, villagers say, is not only is reaping them off, but is now also in the habit of demanding sexual favours from female clients, who include minors and married women.
“This tsikamutanda is also bedding married women and underage girls in the village in exchange for money and meat. In one of the cases, he slept with and impregnated a Grade 6 girl who is staying with guardians. After sleeping with the young girl several times in the mountain, the tsikamutanda then called the child’s guardians where he was with the child and told them that he wanted the girl to be a wife of his spirit mediaums, and gave them three cattle and money. He is also sleeping with many young girls in the area,” said an angry villager
Chief Nhema, born Rangarirai Bwawanda, said he was aware of the issue and have already made arrangement with the police to stop the Tsikamutanda for operating in the area.
“Arrangements were made with the police and Headman Chamburukira to stop the Tsikamutanda from operating in the area. I am told the Tsikamutanda is collecting cattle and properties from villagers, leaving some families there poorer as livestock is a sign of wealth in rural communities, Chief Nhema said in an interview with NewZimbabwe.com Tuesday.
However a visit to the area revealed a different a story as most villagers believed the Tsikamutanda is working hand in glove with some of the traditional leaders.
Villager who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation said despite the current covid-19 restrictions that ban gatherings, people are seen gathered and singing for him at his shrine near Matara police base.
“Due to the increase in number of livestock he has collected from villagers, he has employed six shepherds to look after the herd. Poor villagers are now struggling with hunger. So far he is now selling some of the livestock and villagers were threatened that if they share photos of him or his name, they will encounter untold misfortune so they have been suffering in silence for months,” said one villager, in an anonymous alert to authorities. NewZimbabwe
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