Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
CHIEF Mutasa has ordered a Mozambican traditional healer, now based in Dangamvura, to undo a curse mistakenly cast on the wrong man.
This follows a startling confession by a Hobhouse woman, who admitted to bewitching the victim in retaliation for her missing gold mill—an act that left him suffering relentless spiritual torment.
The revelation came when the dispute resurfaced in Chief Mutasa’s court, after both families had earlier been instructed to seek further spiritual guidance.
The case first arose when Barbra Kembo of Toronto, accused Stella Mwakasikeni of targeting her son, Blessing Kembo, whom she suspected of stealing the gold mill.
Mwakasikeni later made a dramatic turnaround, confessing that Blessing’s name had indeed been raised during consultations with a Mozambican healer.
“Indeed, my gold mill was stolen, and when I went to Mozambique, the traditional healer showed me the thief in a mirror. I saw a silhouette that resembled Blessing, though I did not see his face. The healer mentioned Blessing’s name, and that is when I knew he was the one who had stolen it. So I let the healer proceed with the revenge plan,” she told Chief Mutasa’s court.
Mwakasikeni went further and acknowledged that something harmful may have been spiritually inflicted on the young man.
“The traditional healer is currently in Dangamvura, and is the only one who can reverse what he did. It is true that something was done,” she said in a confession that angered members of Blessing’s family, who insisted the young man had suffered for months because of false accusations.
Chief Mutasa criticised the use of spiritual retaliation without proper proof and warned communities against rushing to punish suspects outside formal processes.
“You admitted that the boy’s name was given and action was taken before the truth was established. This is why people must not rush to punish suspects through spiritual means,” he said, adding that many innocent people end up suffering because of rumours, assumptions and fear-driven accusations.
Chief Mutasa then issued a fresh directive aimed at resolving the dispute and helping Blessing by ordering both families to travel together to Dangamvura, where the healer was reportedly visiting relatives, so that the alleged curse could be reversed and the truth further examined.
“You must go together and meet this healer. If something was done, let it be undone. After that, this court will hear what remains of the matter,” ruled Chief Mutasa.
Barbra had told the court that her son’s unexplained illness began after Mwakasikeni’s property went missing.
She said Blessing initially developed severe abdominal pains, and was taken to hospital, where doctors diagnosed appendix complications.
He underwent an operation and was discharged after the affected part was removed.
“My son was ill and doctors said he had appendix problems. He was operated on, and something was removed. He was discharged and got better, and we thought the problem had been resolved,” she said during the earlier hearing.
However, shortly after recovering, Blessing, reportedly began complaining of fresh pains, particularly around the area where tubes had been inserted during the operation.
The family rushed him to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, where he was admitted and underwent another procedure.
Barbra told the court that while the family was still searching for answers, relatives informed her that Mwakasikeni had allegedly confessed privately that she was responsible for the young man’s suffering because she believed he had stolen her gold mill.
“My brother later told our stepmother that Mwakasikeni had confided in him that she was the one who had ‘fixed’ my son traditionally. She claimed she did it because he had stolen her gold mill,” said Barbra, adding that she confronted her son over the accusation, but he strongly denied ever stealing the machine or being involved in its disappearance.
When the matter first came before the court, Mwakasikeni admitted consulting traditional healers after the theft, but insisted she had targeted an unknown criminal, and did not know who had taken her property.
She explained that after the mill disappeared, she travelled with healers to Chipinge and later to Mozambique in a desperate effort to recover the machine or expose the culprit.
Barbra maintained that her son was innocent and said what now mattered most was restoring his health.
Blessing also addressed the court and repeated his earlier denial, saying he had no connection to the theft.
“I told the court before that I do not even drive and I do not have a driving licence. I never stole anything. If I had stolen it, I would have already confessed because what I have gone through is painful. There is no reason for me to keep quiet if I was guilty,” he said, adding that he was deeply hurt to learn that his name had allegedly been used to justify revenge rituals.
