admin“cleanse them of evil spirits”.
However, the police and the Traditional Medical Practitioners Council have already said the activities were illegal.
Chief Chikwaka wrote letters to Mr Knowledge Katokwe of Mapfumo Village, his wife and mother on July 9 this year informing them to appear before the chief’s court yesterday with US$20 “dare” fee each.
In an interview last Friday, Mr Kato-kwe said he had not attended the chief’s court because tsikamutandas were declared illegal.
“I will not attend to something that is illegal.
“Those people are fleecing people of their hard-earned money and livestock,” he said.
Tsikamutandas are self-proclaimed traditional healers who are roaming most parts of the country claiming that they can get rid of witches and evil spirits. Chiefs are also accused of cushioning tsikamutandas because they benefit.
In his letter, Chief Chikwaka said: “Tinokudai kuno kudare ramambo Chikwaka pa Juru council offices musiwa 15 July na 10am kuti muzodaira nyaya yekuramba kubvisirwa zvinhu zvakasara naZunzamandere” (You are wanted to appear before the chief’s court at Juru council offices on July 15 at 10am to answer to the charges of refusing to have Mr Zunzamandere remove the things, which remained).
“Munosungirwa kuuya makabata US$20 yedare. Kusauya kwenyu imhoswa huru zvekare zvine njodzi kwamuri” (You should bring US$20 for the court and failure to attend, you will be considered to be in breach, which
will have serious repercussions to you). It is understood that Chief Chikwaka was summoned to Juru police station to explain his case.
Sources said the chief stuck to his guns that people should be cleansed.
Traditional Medical Practitioners Council senior licensing officer, Ms Jennifer Mawuzhendi, was recently quoted in the media as saying chiefs were aiding the illegal activities of tsikamutandas by helping them to evade arrest.
Efforts to get a comment from Chief Chikwaka were fruitless as he kept saying he was at a court session.
“I am attending a court session,” the chief said.
Online Reporter