Gilbert Munetsi
A GRIEVING widow is claiming that a self-styled Chitungwiza sangoma has been harassing her by claiming that she pays US$250,000 for goblins which her husband “bought” from the traditional healer.
Police in Beatrice are investigating a case which sources claim is based on an elaborate extortion plot.
Sources said US$33,000 worth of property and cash have been recovered as investigations continue into the case, which exploded just a day after the woman laid her husband to rest.
The sangoma, Sekuru Amos Kafera of Gaths Farm in Beatrice, allegedly summoned the widow to his homestead shortly after her husband’s funeral.
He allegedly told her that her late husband owed him a staggering US$250,000 for goblins he had acquired from him.
The widow was allegedly warned that she and her children would die if she failed to settle the alleged ‘debt’.
The case took an even more terrifying turn when Sekuru Kafera allegedly released a python from a sack, telling the frightened widow that the snake belonged to her late husband.
Fearing for her life, and the safety of her children, the woman allegedly agreed to pay what was demanded by the sangoma.
Sekuru Kafera then sent his workers to collect a tractor, disc plough, Toyota Dakur vehicle, a herd of 13 cattle and US13,000 in cash.
The total value of what was allegedly taken from the woman’s home has been put at more than US$60,000.
The widow was allegedly still being pressured to pay a further US$48,200.
The widow later confided her predicament to her relatives, who told her that the conduct by the sangoma was unlawful.
One of her grandchildren went to Sekuru Kafera’s homestead and recovered the tractor and disc plough before the family reported the matter to the police in Beatrice.
Police confirmed that investigations into the alleged extortion case were in progress.
Sekuru Kafera is no stranger to controversy.
The controversial traditional healer has previously claimed in media interviews that he uses “goblins” to help pastors, prophets, business executives, sex workers, kombi owners, truck drivers and car dealers.
He claimed that some clients visited him seeking powers to prophesy in church, while others wanted spiritual help to attract wealth, restore failing marriages or bring back runaway spouses.
In one outrageous claim, Sekuru Kafera said he had “resurrected” his nephew, Watson, in Mufakose after the man had allegedly been dead for four days.
He said he gave him a two-litre drink and he woke up “from the dead.”
He also claimed to assist, at least 150 people a day, and said his spiritual powers originated from Malawi.
Sekuru Kafera has also publicly claimed that he helped a late socialite couple amass unexplained wealth, saying he made them rich after they consulted him for a better livelihood.
He alleged that his work helped the wife of a former army officer to get promoted and enabled the couple to buy cars.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he told reporters that he was overwhelmed by people seeking traditional herbal medicine and suggested that his remedies could possibly help find a treatment, while urging patients to first get tested at hospitals.
His public profile describes his work as helping people find “spiritual peace” in matters affecting their physical and material wellbeing, including healing, wealth, luck, relationships, promotion and cleansing.
