Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura, Mutare Bureau
A 61-YEAR-OLD Nyanga man has been arrested for stealing seven cattle from his younger brother to settle a goblin-related debt owed to a notorious sangoma by their late mother.
Oliver Sedze, from Nyagato Village under Chief Katerere, is accused of driving away the beasts, worth US$4,000, without permission and selling them off to raise money for a traditional healer who allegedly provided goblins to his mother, the late Anna Sedze.
The stolen cattle belonged to Weston Sedze, who lives in Harare and had entrusted a caretaker, David Goba (33), to look after his herd of 22 cattle. In June, Goba reportedly left the cattle grazing unattended, giving Oliver the chance to pounce.
“Accused person was said to be raising money to settle a debt which was left by his mother to the traditional healer known as Sithole,” said Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka.
The cattle, two cows, two heifers, two bulls and an ox, were sold to Jona Tsabasvi in Nyagato Village and another unidentified buyer in Chapatarongo, Ruwangwe. None of the animals or proceeds have been recovered.
Weston filed a police report on 9 July, leading to Oliver’s arrest. The case has lifted the lid on yet another family torn apart by the lure of supernatural wealth from controversial traditional healer Matthias Sithole, who is infamous in the region for claiming to boost clients’ fortunes using goblins.
“The value stolen is US$4,000, and nothing was recovered,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Police are urging the public to report suspicious livestock sales and avoid being drawn into occult dealings that leave families broken and bank accounts dry.
derick.khumalo