Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A CHIMANIMANI man who survived a brutal assault by his married lover’s hubby is now embroiled in a fresh controversy after he allegedly refused to sell a sewing machine given to him as compensation to repay a brother who footed his hospital bills.
The matter came to light at Chief Saurombe’s community court, where Johane Simango had dragged his brother, Emmanuel Simango, accusing him of bewitching him.
However, tensions rose when Emmanuel countered the allegations, arguing that Johane’s illness stemmed from an affair with a married woman, which resulted in him being brutally attacked by her husband, Lucas Gwenzi.
“There is no witchcraft at play here. My brother is bedridden because he cheated with a married woman. They met at their usual spot, unaware that her husband had followed her. In a fit of rage, the man attacked, and left him for dead. He was only saved by members of the community who intervened,” explained Emmanuel, adding that Johane regained consciousness at Chimanimani District Hospital, where was admitted with severe injuries.
“The man wanted to kill Johane, but people restrained him. I am the one who footed his hospital bills of US$184 because I love him as a sibling, but today he claims that I am bewitching him.
“My brother later filed a police report, and Gwenzi was fined. Since he had no cash, the police ordered him to compensate Johane with a sewing machine to help him cover the medical expenses. My brother shamelessly took the machine, knowing fully well that he had been caught red-handed with a married woman. As a family, we suspect that Gwenzi is still angry over their illicit affair, and is behind his illness,” said Emmanuel.
The revelations followed Johane’s claim in court that each time he tried to sell the sewing machine, he suffered temporary blindness and bizarre episodes.
He, however, accused Emmanuel of causing the mysterious afflictions, suggesting that his brother wanted to keep the proceeds from the sale of the machine for himself.
“Every time I try to sell the machine, my vision blurs, and my speech becomes incoherent. The first time it happened, I was on my way to Chimanimani town to get the paperwork done to dispose the machine. I suddenly lost my sight and control of my speech. I had to be escorted back home because I was losing my marbles. It has happened multiple times now, and I believe my brother is behind it,” said Johane.
He further claimed that their late father’s spirit was manifesting through him, accusing Emmanuel of neglecting him while he was still alive.
However, Emmanuel dismissed the claims, accusing Johane of faking spiritual possession to cover up his shame.
Johane admitted to the affair, but insisted that he had no idea that the woman was married, let alone that she worked in her husband’s shop.
“I thought she was single because she is still very young. We had been together for months, and I was shocked when this man claimed that she was his wife. To this day, I believe he was just another boyfriend, yet he wanted to kill me,” he said.
Chief Saurombe ruled that the sewing machine should be returned to Gwenzi.
“He should not have compensated you in the first place. You were having an affair with his wife, and he caught you red-handed. He was the victim here, yet he was made to pay you. If what you are saying is true, then he is clearly still angry, and that could explain these strange things happening to you. Why would you keep going blind every time you try to sell the machine? Instead of blaming your brother, you should return the sewing machine,” he ruled.
The matter was adjourned to the next court session, where Gwenzi will be subpoenaed so that the Simango family can apologise, and return the sewing machine to him.
Online Reporter