Langa Mabena
Mashudu Mambo
ABOUT 32 families at Mananzwa Line in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North province have been left counting their losses after heavy rains destroyed their homes last week.
This incident stunned villagers who believed that the thunderstorm was a result of a bad omen. The villagers allege that the thunderstorm was caused by an incident that took place sometime last year where a witch-hunter was tasked to help villagers in the Mananzwa area after a Satanism scare.
While the witch-hunter was in the area, he recovered a number of alleged witchcraft artefacts that were being used by some villagers.
In the process of cleansing the community, the witch-hunter burnt some drums and clothes that were used by a villager for rainmaking. He was however, ousted out of the community before completing the rituals.
The village head of Mananzwa Line, Vincent Hadebe, indicated that a number of elderly people have been left vulnerable after the destruction of home.
“On Thursday last week, we experienced heavy thunderstorms that led to the destruction of 32 homes. The roofs of these homes were blown away by the winds and the property was destroyed as a result of the rains.
Four of the houses were demolished and this left a number of villagers devastated. Luckily, there were no casualties,” he said.
Hadebe indicated that a number of villagers believe that this was a bad omen.
“A number of villagers believe that the thunderstorms were caused by incomplete rituals as the clothes which were burnt were not replaced.
This witch-hunter burnt some drums and clothes that belonged to a woman in the area who claimed to have had rainmaking powers but he was ousted before helping us get a solution to the problem,” he said.
The villagers whose houses were damaged said they have been left in dire need for help as their valuables were destroyed by the rains.
“A number of items were destroyed by these rains. My house was almost at roof level and my hope was that by year-end it would have been completed but the rains destroyed it, meaning that l have to start from scratch. I believe that the devil is at work because such thunderstorms have never happened in our area, our enemies are destroying our hard work,” said Qhubekani Ncube.
Kenny Masuku (80) stated that he was worried as he cannot afford to rebuild his house.
“I am old and my house has been destroyed beyond recognition. It was my first time experiencing such thunderstorms. We lost a lot of property and stock feed as a result and I am not sure how we will survive,” he said.
However, the District Administrator of Tsholotsho Aron Gono said they have not yet received the report.
“We have not yet received the report on the case, however, we will do our investigations,” he said.
Online Reporter