Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
A HARARE man has sparked shockwaves after accusing his sisters-in-law of using witchcraft to curse him with painful bloating and a non-stop farting spree. He claims it is the same dark magic that killed his wife last year.
Hardwork Nyakunu stunned villagers at Chief Mutasa’s community court last Saturday when he boldly declared that his in-laws bewitched him during a surprise overnight visit in April.
“They didn’t even warn me they were coming. I got home from work and boom, they were there. After they left, I got sick. My stomach’s been a battlefield ever since,” he told the court.
Nyakunu says his tummy trouble started soon after the visit by Jenny Arifasi and her sister. He described loud gurgling, relentless gas, and severe pain that has left him unable to eat. He insists it is no coincidence. He says it is the same mysterious illness that killed his wife, their sister, in May last year.
“My wife died from the same symptoms. They took her to a traditional healer who blamed my family. But now I’m suffering too. That tells me it was them all along,” he claimed.
Nyakunu whipped out a container of leftover food he says the women left behind. He presented it as evidence of their deadly intentions.
“I kept the food they left that day. I’m sure it’s cursed,” he said.
But Jenny Arifasi rubbished the claims, saying the visit was innocent and part of their journey to Murehwa to see an aunt.
“We only passed by to check on our late sister’s husband. We didn’t even cook. He bought food himself. We just spent the night and left the next morning,” she said.
Jenny said Nyakunu began calling her days later, accusing them of causing his illness and suggesting he might come stay at her house if he didn’t get better.
“He told me the pain matched what our sister felt before she died. I was shocked,” said Jenny. She said their brother stepped in and urged both sides to settle the matter calmly.
Chief Mutasa was not convinced by the witchcraft claims. He urged Nyakunu to ditch the supernatural suspicions and trust the doctor.
“Bloating and gas are not a sign of witchcraft. It could be acid reflux or ulcers. Get that endoscopy and take your meds. This is a medical issue, not magic,” he said.
For now, the mysterious killer gas remains unsolved. One thing’s for sure. There is no peace in Nyakunu’s pants or his family.
