adminTendai Gukutikwa
THE tsikamutanda practices are not only ripping off communities, but are also causing conflicts, disturbing peace and causing disunity among the same communities, Minister of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage, Cde Abednico Ncube, has said.
The self-styled exorcists are fleecing rural poor people of their hard earned resources, their lifetime investments like cattle and selling them for as little as $100 at local markets.
In a speech read by a director in his ministry, Mr Mike Mazai, in Marange last Sunday, Cde Ncube said to date, his ministry had received numerous disturbing reports concerning the tsikamutandas illegally operating in contravention of the law in Marange.
He aired these sentiments at a briefing meeting held at Domboshava Training Centre in Marange where Chief Marange, headmen and other members of the traditional leadership were in attendance.
Cde Ncube warned the traditional leadership against welcoming the exorcists and forcing their subjects to oblige to their demands.
“Forcing people to engage in traditional and religious practices without their consent, in particular the practices of tsikamutanda is an offence which can land someone in jail.
“In the Marange area, there are a lot of false traditionalists and prophets who are causing havoc and destabilising family relations in the community and it is in my honour to notify you that as Government we do not tolerate anything that divides people.
“We do not tolerate these dubious tsikamutandas who are operating in this area,” said Cde Ncube.
He said the Traditional Leaders’ Act was the guideline of all traditional leaders.
The traditional leaders were challenged to be strictly guided by the Traditional Leaders’ Act and the constitution of the country.
He urged them to consult the two documents whenever necessary.
“The rule of law applies to every aspect of life and issues of tradition are guided by the Traditional Leaders’ Act (Chapter 29:17), Witchcraft Suppression Act, and the Constitution of Zimbabwe, among other laws.
It is therefore of paramount importance that we adhere to the terms of these laws in our day to day traditional practices,” he said.
He said, as a ministry, they had structures at the local level that promote good governance and were custodians of national culture and heritage and that the ministry was mandated by Government to promote development and welfare of the rural communities.
Addressing the same gathering, Chief Marange said he and his headmen were working day and night in trying to send tsikamutandas packing from their area as they were wreaking havoc.
“People are losing their wealth because of these fraudsters and let us not as traditional leaders help in defrauding our subjects. If we are not careful, these crooks will leave us with nothing at all,” said Chief Marange.
Online Reporter