Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A PENHALONGA man’s mysterious illness has spiralled into sensational allegations of witchcraft and mistaken identity, with a woman accused of targeting the wrong person in a feud linked to a stolen gold mill.
Barbra Kembo, of Toronto, told Chief Mutasa’s community court that her son, Blessing, had been “fixed” through traditional means by Stella Mwakasikeni, whom she accused of unleashing spiritual attacks after her gold mill was stolen.
Kembo recounted how Blessing first fell ill with what doctors diagnosed as appendicitis.
He underwent surgery and initially recovered, but his health soon deteriorated. “Later, he started having pains again, especially where the tube had been inserted during the operation. We rushed him to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, where he was admitted again and underwent another operation,” she said.
It was during this period, Kembo claimed, that shocking revelations emerged. “My brother later told our stepmother that Mwakasikeni had confided in him that she had ‘fixed’ my son traditionally. She claimed she did it because he had stolen her gold mill,” she testified.
Kembo insisted her son was innocent.
“I was shocked because I know that he bought his own gold mill. I confronted him, and he denied everything. He insisted that he never stole any gold mill,” she said, adding that despite his denials, Blessing’s health continued to worsen.
In January, Blessing began suffering severe stomach pains, prompting Kembo to seek traditional intervention.
The matter was reported to the village head’s court, where Mwakasikeni allegedly admitted responsibility.
“The village head told us that Mwakasikeni was in default. He also said she had admitted before him that she was responsible for what was happening to my son,” Kembo told the court.
Barbra’s brother, who is also named Blessing Kembo, corroborated her account, telling the court that Mwakasikeni had confessed bewitching their relative.
“She asked me why my nephew did not want to return her gold mill. She said his illness would not stop until he surrenders it back,” he said, adding that Mwakasikeni had made specific allegations about how the theft was carried out.
“She said my nephew was the one who drove the vehicle that carried her grinding mill. According to her, he was part of the group that stole it,” he told the court.
Responding to the allegations, Mwakasikeni admitted engaging traditional means following the loss of her property, but maintained that she had targeted an unknown thief.
“Sometime last year, my gold mill was stolen. I was distressed and sought help from traditional healers to try and recover it,” she said, adding that she followed instructions from the spiritual practitioner, which included collecting soil from the site where the grinding mill was stolen from.
“They instructed me to take soil from where the gold mill was previously erected. I travelled with them to Chipinge, and I also went to Mozambique to consult other traditional healers,” said Mwakasikeni, further admitting to performing rituals, while insisting she did not know the identity of the person she was targeting.
“I am not denying that I took action. I dealt with the person who stole my gold mill, but I do not know who that person is,” she said, adding that she was assured by the healers that the culprit would confess.
“The traditional healer told me that the thief will come forward to confess. That is what I was waiting for,” she said.
Mwakasikeni also described the circumstances under which her gold mill was stolen, claiming she witnessed the act.
“All I know is that I saw the thief driving away in a black Honda Fit. They loaded the gold mill into the vehicle while I watched, but I could not stop them,” she said, adding that the alleged victim, who was only identified as Blessing, strongly denied any involvement in the theft and dismissed the accusations as baseless.
“I never stole any gold mill. I do not know what she is talking about,” he told the court, further challenging claims that he had driven the vehicle used in the theft.
“She said I was driving a Honda Fit, but I cannot even drive. I do not have a driver’s licence,” said Blessing, further detailing the pain he has been enduring, which he believes has been unfairly linked to something he did not do.
“If I had stolen it, I would have confessed because I am going through a very painful ordeal. There is no reason for me to keep quiet if I was guilty,” he said.
Presiding over the matter, Chief Mutasa expressed concern over the use of spiritual means to deal with suspected criminals, particularly where the identity of the alleged offender is not certain.
“It is dangerous to act against an unknown person. You may end up harming an innocent person,” he warned.
Chief Mutasa advised the two families to seek further spiritual clarification to establish the truth.
“You should consult traditional healers who can determine whether this young man was indeed involved in the theft. Only then can we proceed with certainty,” he said.
