Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A HONDÉ Valley woman, Mbuya Zuze, has brought a shocking case before Chief Mutasa’s community court, accusing her brother-in-law and his two sons of forcibly shaving her son’s head.
The alleged incident has left her son, Kudakwashe Zuze, gravely ill and his mother is demanding the return of his hair, claiming it was taken for rituals.
Mbuya Zuze argued that her son’s health has been deteriorating since the incident. She recounted a disturbing incident involving her brother-in-law and son after their visit to his homestead.
“It all started when my brother-in-law, Ben, called my son, Kuda and me to visit him. I went there and after I told them that I was leaving, he asked Kuda to remain behind, so I left them. However, I was later told that my son was being assaulted and when I went there, my son was naked and his hair had been cut. They also assaulted me, sprinkling beer and snuff all over my body.
“I demanded for my son’s hair, but they stripped me naked. They used my son’s hair and hat for their rituals. I later reported the matter to the police, and the court referred the matter back to Chief Mutasa’s community court, which is why I am here today,” recounted Mbuya Zuze, with tears in her eyes.
Some of Kuda’s hair was discarded, but Mbuya Zuze believes some was kept for ritual purposes.
“They dumped some of the hair near the road, but I know they did not throw away all of it. I did not take any of it. My child is now bedridden, and they are refusing to give me his hair,” she said.
Mbuya Zuze said the situation worsened when her nephew only identified as Nicholas, claimed to be possessed by an ancestral spirit named Chigwanda during the rituals.
“To this day, I have no peace with Nicholas. He claims to be manifesting and assaults me. I have abandoned my homestead because of this. I am no longer safe,” she said.
The case sparked heated debate in the courtroom as Ben, justified their actions, saying they followed instructions given by Nicholas during what they believed was an ancestral manifestation.
“Nicholas said since we were supposed to come back to the court for feedback, Kuda and Ben were not supposed to come with unkempt hair. We followed the instructions because we all know that it is an ancestral spirit of the Manunure Clan manifesting on him.
“He said we should be smart before the chief’s court. We went to the river with him and we came back from there with shorts and not naked. When we came back, my sister-in-law was not present because it was dark, she should not lie,” he explained.
Ben admitted that violence broke out during the incident, but distanced himself from the assaults, laying the blame squarely on Nicholas.
“It was Nicholas who assaulted everyone, including his aunt. I do not know which spirit possesses him because sometimes he claims to be Manunure, sometimes Chigwanda and sometimes he claims he is our father, Zuze.
“He even told us that we are not members of the Zuze family, but the Chigwanda family, and that originally we are from Malawi. I am now confused and do not know what to do,” said Ben.
The court heard how Nicholas had gone on a spree of burning clothes, declaring them satanic.
“On that day, he burnt our old clothes. We put on fresh ones, but told us that they were satanic clothes and burnt them too. I am completely lost. He sometimes makes sense, and other times he does not. He behaves as if he is in control of us all,” revealed Ben.
Mbuya Zuze remained firm in her claims, insisting that the shaving of her son’s head was not a genuine act, but part of a ritual that had endangered his health.
“I want my son’s hair back. Ever since they cut it, he has been sickly, and I know it is because of what they did. Nicholas is tormenting me daily and continues to threaten me,” she said.
Mbuya Zuze vowed not to rest until she retrieves her son’s hair.
“I will not rest until I get my son’s hair back. I know they still have it and am begging this court to help me, as I am living in fear of my relatives,” she said.
Chief Mutasa said the matter required deeper spiritual verification.
“What is clear is that Nicholas claims to be possessed by different spirits, and his actions are dividing the family and causing suffering. The family must consult traditional healers to determine what is happening. This matter cannot be solved here alone — it needs spiritual guidance and cleansing,” he said.
Chief Mutasa also ordered the family to work together in seeking traditional healers to determine whether Nicholas was truly possessed or taking advantage of his relatives.
“You cannot continue fighting without answers. Go and consult together, and bring back the results so the truth may be known,” he ruled.
