Juju scares off mourners

Nhlalwenhle Ncube
MOURNERS gathered at a house in New Magwegwe, Bulawayo, found a white plate with a knife wrapped with a red cloth at their gate in a suspected case of witchcraft.

Upon seeing the strange things, mourners reportedly deserted the funeral gathering in fear.

a�?Some people who had spent the night at the funeral wake left in the morning after the juju was discovered at the gate.

a�?It was scary and could be a symbol of more deaths. A witch had set her things during the night,a�? said a neighbour.

There were a lot of perceptions associated with the issue but no one wanted to take chances.

a�?No one wanted to associate herself with the funeral wake after the incident. Some said the home needed cleansing, but unfortunately the family members are Adventist. They dona��t consult traditional healers or prophets,a�? said a source.

When a B-Metro news crew visited the family at around 6pm, the alleged juju was still by the gate and the family expressedA� fearsA� and so left it untouched.

a�?We do not know what is the meaning of this thing. It is clear that someone put it. If you look at it closely, there is something which is tied to the knife and we cannot touch something of that sort,a�? said Mrs Moyo, the owner of the house.

The family lost their daughter Sikhangele Mathewe on Sunday 17 April after a long illness.

a�?We are still in shock as a family because there is more to this and we will pray for Goda��s protection as we are not aware of its meaning,a�? said the visibly shaken Mrs Moyo.