Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A MUTASA village head whose brother allegedly consulted a traditional healer for a ‘back-to-sender’ ritual, but subsequently passed away, now accuses the n’anga of foul play, claiming it ‘planted’ a clay pot filled with blood at their homestead.
Phillip Mudondo took his complaint to Chief Mutasa’s community court last Saturday, suing the traditional healer, known locally as Nyamagoromondo.
In his testimony, Mudondo revealed that the n’anga had stayed at his homestead for three months, purportedly to offer assistance to villagers, during which tenure he allegedly planted a clay pot by the gate, which he is now refusing to remove.
Mudondo said Nyamagoromondo had deceived him, using his homestead for sinister purposes.
“He arrived claiming he was en-route to Village Seven to assist someone, but upon returning, he said my homestead needed protection from witches. He requested for a clay pot, filled it with blood, and planted it
at the gate without my consent,” explained Mudondo, vehemently denying any involvement in a plot to harm his late brother, Davison.
“I never asked him to kill my brother. I
accommodated him because he claimed to be in need of a place to stay. Later, he performed rituals, arguing that my home required strengthening, but this had no connection to Davison.”
Nyamagoromondo, who was absent from the court, responded to the allegations virtually defending his actions.
“I stayed at his homestead for three months at his invitation, saying I would assist villagers. Later, he confessed that his
brother was causing misfortune in his family and asked me to intervene. I provided him with charms to address the issue, but I did not kill anyone. This
matter should be handled at my shrine, not in court. He owes me payment, which
he is still to settle,” he said.
The conflicting testimonies sparked murmurs among the villagers present, who listened intently as the accusations flew back and forth.
Chief Mutasa intervened, questioning how Nyamagoromondo could have stayed at Mudondo’s homestead for an extended period without a clear agreement.
“This is a grave matter, affecting both the
family’s safety and the community’s peace. The planting of a clay pot with blood
at the homestead cannot be taken lightly,” said Chief Mutasa, before cautioning Mudondo about the dangers of entertaining such practices without fully understanding them.
“As a village head, you allowed a stranger to stay at your homestead for months, performing rituals you did not comprehend.
That was recklessness on your part. As a community leader, it is your duty to protect your family and community from potential misfortune,” he said.
Chief Mutasa further cautioned him against seeking quick fixes through rituals.
“Matters of family disputes, jealousy, or bad luck should never lead you to seek another person’s death. If you asked this man to deal with your brother, even if you deny it now, that decision has brought trouble to your household. These are not small matters. Death is irreversible, and rituals involving blood are dangerous. I urge you never to go this route again,” he warned the traditional leader, further instructing that the clay pot be returned to the healer for proper removal.
“The blood belongs to the traditional healer. You must take the clay pot back to him and allow him to remove it from your homestead.
Leaving it here could bring misfortune to your family. Matters of this nature should always be handled carefully, not left to rot at your doorstep,” ruled Chief Mutasa.
He also reminded both parties that cultural practices should not be abused.
“Traditional healing is part of our heritage, but itmust be done properly.
A n’anga cannot plant things at someone’s home without their full consent.
And a village head should never invite people who deal with blood rituals to stay at his homestead. This confuses the community and damages trust,” he said.
Mudondo said he would comply with the Chief Mutasa’s directive, but remained wary of future dealings with traditional healers
“We will take the clay pot to him, but this situation has taught me a lesson. He tricked me into believing that he was solidifying my home, and now we have to follow his instructions,” he said.
