Online Reporter
A healing session in Cowdray Park turned into real-life drama on Sunday when a popular local prophet allegedly locked horns with an alleged “missile” from the dark world.
Residents and church members watched in shock as Madzibaba Emmanuel Mutumwa of Johanne Masowe Yechishanu reportedly battled an aggressive owl.
The bird flew wildly around the shrine, allegedly trying to attack him and his congregants during a tense prayer and healing session.
The shocking spectacle occurred during a deliverance ceremony attended by dozens of worshippers and curious residents, who gathered after hearing loud prayers, screams, howls and commotion coming from the shrine.
Witnesses said the drama began when a local businessman (name withheld) arrived at the shrine seeking spiritual help for his wife, who had allegedly been suffering from mysterious seizures and illnesses.
The situation became tense when Madzibaba Mutumwa began praying.
Moments later, a huge owl is said to have appeared from nowhere, flapping its wings and launching towards the prophet and terrified congregants like a fighter jet.
The situation escalated when Madzibaba Mutumwa openly accused the businessman of using juju in the form of an owl to boost his business empire.
“The prophet suddenly stopped praying and pointed at the owl flying above us. He said the owl belonged to the businessman and that it was the source of the wife’s suffering. People started screaming and running away,” said a witness.
Another congregant claimed the businessman later confessed during the emotionally charged session.
“He admitted that he got the juju from a sangoma (traditional healer) in Chipinge so that his business could thrive. He was told that the spirit would affect his nephew, but things went wrong and the attacks started affecting both his wife and nephew,” the congregant said.
The businessman reportedly owns grocery shops in Cowdray Park and at the busy Fifth Avenue market in Bulawayo.
Witnesses said the owl grew increasingly violent during prayers.
“People were crying while others hid behind cars and trees. It was like something out of a movie,” another resident said.
While some congregants broke into loud prayers, others fled as the prophet continued the exorcism.
The bizarre incident quickly attracted large crowds from around Cowdray Park.
Although Madzibaba Mutumwa was initially tight-lipped, he later confirmed that he had prayed for the businessman.
“I indeed prayed for that man,” he said.
“He came with a heavy burden. The owl he was using for his business turned into a demon that wanted to attack me to stop the deliverance. But through prayer, it failed and later died. The family is finally free.”
The dramatic incident has since become the talk of Cowdray Park, with residents still debating the mysterious showdown between the prophet and the owl. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Cheeky ex-con threatens magistrate over prison sentence
A 42-year-old Bulawayo man threatened to “hurt” a magistrate after receiving a sentence he considered unfavourable.
Bulawayo magistrate Bethel Negato sentenced Xolani Ndlovu of Emganwini suburb to two months in prison for threatening Plumtree magistrate Joshua Nembaware after the latter had slapped him with a three-year sentence in 2024.
The court heard that on April 18, 2026, around 5pm, Ndlovu confronted Nembaware at Caravan Shops in Cowdray Park, demanding to know why he had imprisoned him.
Prosecutor Audrey Kufandikanwe told the court that in October 2024, Nembaware had convicted Ndlovu of unlawful entry.
Ndlovu was duly sentenced to 36 months in prison, with six months suspended for five years and another six months suspended on condition that he restituted the complainant.
The effective prison term was 24 months.
During the confrontation at Caravan Shops, Ndlovu told Nembaware: “Ngizakulimaza, nxa ngingakulimazanga ngizakuthumela abantu bekulimaze (I will hurt you, and if I don’t, I will send people to hurt you),” according to Kufandikanwe.
A police report was filed, leading to Ndlovu’s arrest.
He pleaded not guilty to threatening the magistrate but was sentenced to two months in prison, with one month suspended for five years. His effective sentence is one month’s imprisonment. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Makoni wife sentenced for assaulting hubby over intercepted love text
A 26-year-old Makoni woman has been sentenced to six months in prison for assaulting her husband after he intercepted a romantic text message from her alleged boyfriend.
Nyarai Annah Madondo, of Madondo village, under Chief Makoni, appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe.
She faced two charges under the Domestic Violence Act (Chapter 5.16), which criminalises physical abuse against a partner.
Madondo, who was unrepresented during the hearing, pleaded guilty to assaulting her husband Washington Madondo (32), with whom she has four children.
She claimed the altercation began after he took her phone, read the message and refused to return it.
Mahwe suspended five months of the sentence for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining one month was set aside on condition Madondo completes 140 hours of community service at St Killian’s High School.
Prosecutor Faith Mutukwa told the court that Nyarai assaulted her husband with a metal hoe handle and fists on multiple occasions, eventually forcing him to flee their homestead.
When he returned later that night, she repeatedly struck him on the head with a wooden cooking stick, prompting him to report the matter to the police.
“The accused is the complainant’s wife. On March 10, 2026, at about 4pm, the couple was at their matrimonial home watching television when a misunderstanding arose over a WhatsApp love message that appeared on the accused’s phone while the complainant was using it,” Mutukwa stated.
“The accused demanded her phone back. When her husband refused and walked outside, she followed him, striking him once on the right shoulder with a hoe handle and several times on the face with her fists.”
The complainant sustained injuries, including a swollen forehead and a bruised right shoulder.
Mutukwa added: “On March 11, around midnight, the complainant returned home. When he entered the room, she again demanded her phone.
“When he refused, she took a cooking stick and hit him several times on the head. The complainant sustained a swollen forehead but was not medically examined.” — Manicaland Bureau
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Founders High School teacher rapes learner in science lab
A 40-year-old biology teacher from Founders High School in Bulawayo has appeared in court for allegedly raping a 17-year-old Form Six boarding learner at the institution.
Obey Rwatiringa, of Barham Green, appeared before magistrate Mark Dzira, who remanded him in custody to a later date for trial.
He was not asked to plead.
Rwatiringa is being represented by Tinashe Runganga of Tanaka Law Chambers.
Prosecutor Hazel Ncube told the court that on an unknown date in February 2026, the accused allegedly sent the complainant to buy a pie.
Following that encounter, the accused allegedly proposed love to the minor.
The complainant reported the incident to the school’s guidance and counselling teacher, Memory Ndumo.
The court heard that on February 21, Rwatiringa allegedly summoned the complainant to the science laboratory around 11am under the pretext of conducting extra lessons. After the lesson, the accused allegedly grabbed the complainant by her left hand and forced himself on her. The complainant was overpowered and Rwatiringa allegedly had unprotected sex with her once.
The victim reported the matter, leading to Rwatiringa’s arrest. — Bulawayo Bureau
Bongani Ndlovu