Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A BUHERA headman was recently arrested and charged with extortion after allegedly abusing his authority to demand money and livestock from villagers in exchange for authorising traditional processes.
Obert Madziwanzira, who serves under Chief Nyashanu, appeared before the Murambinda Magistrates’ Court last week facing four counts of extortion.
The State alleged that Madziwanzira demanded cattle and cash from villagers to facilitate the settlement of avenging spirit cases.
In one instance, he is accused of receiving two beasts from the Chivero family after threatening to block funeral proceedings for their murdered relative.
Madziwanzira pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The case was adjourned to March 6 for continuation of trial.
Magistrate, Mr Kudakwashe Sangarwe presided over the matter, while Mrs Connie Nyamaropa represented the State.
“The accused person and Tinoziwa Chivero are not related, but the accused is a traditional leader of the complainant. Sometime in March 2025, Chivero’s cousin was murdered by his son-in-law. The headman was informed of the incident and he proceeded to the complainant’s home, demanding that they should give him two cattle before any funeral proceedings. With no other option, Chivero and his family gathered and raised the cattle as demanded by the headman and gave them to him. The value stolen is US$800 and nothing was recovered,” said Mrs Nyamaropa.
The headman allegedly went on to demand and receive US$250 from the Chivero family so that he could find them a spiritualist to cleanse the deceased’s avenging spirit.
He allegedly neither brought the spiritualist nor reimburse them their money.
“On August 6, 2025, the complainant, in the company of Itai Chivero, proceeded to the accused’s place as he had told them that he would find them a spiritualist who would help them in cleansing their village after a murder case had occurred. The complainant and his brother, Itai, handed over cash amounting to US$250 so that the accused would find a spiritualist to do the cleansing. The accused person did not find the spiritualist, but converted the cash to his own use. The complainant tried in vain to recover his money. The value stolen is US$250 and nothing was recovered,” she told the court.
Mrs Nyamaropa further told the court that Madziwanzira ended up with three beasts from one case after allegedly extorting two families who wanted to settle an avenging spirit case.
“Sometime in September 2023, Chengetai Madzonga’s relative murdered Garikai Jimu. Madzonga approached the headman so that he could help them talk to the deceased’s relatives as they wanted to pay for the avenging spirit of the deceased.
“A meeting was called and it was said Madzonga should give the deceased’s family 15 cattle and US$2 000. On July 13, 2025, Madzonga approached the accused, who was now in charge of the area, with seven cattle as part payment of the 15 cattle. However, the headman demanded two cattle from Madzonga so that he would preside over the handing over of the cattle.
“Madzonga had no option, but to take two cattle from the seven he had brought and give the accused. The accused person called the deceased’s family representatives to hand them the remaining five cattle. Before handing them the cattle, he again demanded one beast from them, and handed them four cattle. The value stolen is US$700 and nothing was recovered. The accused had no right to act in the manner he did,” she said.
