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Gibson Mhaka
WHY wait for the law when supernatural powers can also be used as a form of justice?
This unconventional approach to justice has gained attention recently, with reports of people taking matters into their own hands after property losses, rather than waiting for police to apprehend the suspects.
In seeking justice, some have resorted to sangomas as a means of retribution for wrongs endured. The unconventional route to justice was thrown into spotlight by a Harare-based traditional healer, Gogo Chihoro, who claims to use supernatural powers as a form of justice, to track down thieves and “apprehend” them.
People are reportedly flocking to Gogo Chihoro now popularly known as the “Queen of Justice” after she rose to fame when she delivered what some call “paranormal justice” on behalf of a gold miner from Mberengwa, Midlands Province.
The miner had allegedly lost US$30 000 to armed robbers, and Gogo Chihoro unleashed a swarm of bees to attack them, forcing them to return the stolen money. Buzzing mightily, the swarm reportedly tracked down the suspects and “apprehended” them before stinging them into submission.
Defeated and in pain, they marched, surrendered themselves to the victim and returned the money. As if that was not enough, she also reportedly unleashed a baboon-like creature on a businessman in Chitungwiza who had defaulted or neglected to pay for the services of a man he had hired to renovate his house.
Gogo Chihoro also gained popularity after she assisted a Gweru businessman who experienced a rare condition where mysterious creatures suspected to be termites attacked his private parts after he allegedly bedded a married woman believed to be “centrally locked or fenced” by her husband with ulunyoka.
The businessman in the transport industry (name supplied) suffered multiple stings, with the termites reportedly covering his entire private parts for days leading him to confess to his wife and family that the incident began shortly after he had slept with a married woman.
His manhood also reportedly kept on disappearing each time he wanted to make love to his wife at home. The cases above highlight a persistent belief in the use of supernatural powers to achieve justice or retribution for wrongs.
A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity for professional reasons, acknowledged the effectiveness of this unconventional approach to justice. The police officer said it helps track down and apprehend criminals, while also removing any perceived supernatural advantage they might hold during arrests.
“This situation raises the question of how the justice system might address the use of alleged supernatural powers. Regulating the activities of witchdoctors or sangomas could be explored to see if it could provide some support for police work. However, this approach presents significant challenges.
“In one case, two suspected cattle thieves turned themselves in after stealing cows from a man who later consulted a sangoma. The suspects were in excruciating pain, suffering from bee stings on their hands. The sangoma, using her traditional tools, performed a ritual to relieve them of the pain caused by the bees. Luckily for the suspects, the owner, happy to have his cows back, decided not to press charges,” the police officer said.
A sangoma, Sekuru Godo from Hope Fountain on the outskirts of Bulawayo firmly acknowledged his belief in the use of supernatural powers for achieving justice.
“As cases of armed robbery and theft reach epidemic levels in the country, many people are now turning to sangomas who claim to use supernatural powers to achieve justice. Most victims acknowledge receiving assistance from sangomas or traditional healers believed to possess the power to apprehend suspects or criminals,” he said.
In an interview with B-Metro, Gogo Chihoro said many people were consulting her to recover stolen goods and money.
“A lot of people are now seeking my services to locate thieves. They have lost phones, cattle and even cars and they all want help finding the stolen goods and, more importantly, getting their money back. Surprisingly, even some police officers have started consulting me. They say they are stuck on certain cases and are hoping my charms might give them a lead on where to find the criminals,” said Gogo Chihoro.
She added: “Our mission as sangomas is to contribute to shaping a better society by ending crime. Unlike other sangomas who provide goblins, muthi and other divination tools, I use my abilities to track down thieves and apprehend them. Those I apprehend will never steal again.”
Meanwhile, Madzibaba Zephania, a prophet with Johanne Masowe Wenguwotsvuku questioned the practicality of using supernatural powers to solve real-world problems like stolen possessions or crimes.
“Juju isn’t a substitute for the law. Instead of resorting to such measures, people can achieve a more positive outcome by reporting the matter to the police. Law enforcement has the resources and training to investigate these crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.”
Online Reporter