Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A COMPENSATION claim by a school teacher against a villager who allegedly accused her of practicing witchcraft has been thrown out of court due to lack of evidence.
Tsitsi Muchirewesi, a teacher at Maire Primary School, had dragged Priscilla Matewu to Chief Makoni’s community court, seeking two beasts as compensation for allegedly accusing her of witchcraft, and causing a school water tank to be struck by lightning.
The allegations, which were reportedly made in the presence of Matewu’s children, who are learners at the school, claimed that Muchirewesi was involved in underworld activities.
Muchirewesi told the court that she recently joined the school, and was unaware of Matewu and her children prior to the allegations.
She denied the allegations, arguing that she was surprised to learn of the claims, which she said had caused her distress.
However, the court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support her claim, leading to the dismissal of the case.
“I recently transferred from Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe to Maire Primary School and resumed work on January 23, 2025. On a Friday, I was approached by an Early Childhood Development (ECD) learner claiming that a Grade Five learner was saying I am a witch.
“The Grade Five learner, who is Matewu’s child, confirmed saying the allegations to other learners. Before I was deployed at this school, there was an incident whereby a water tank was struck by lightning and also damaged the solar system, causing water challenges.
“When I joined the school, they were fetching water from a borehole. Matewu’s child said her mother told her that I was the one who had struck the tank with lightning.
“I was surprised because I did not know Matewu and her children who are enrolled at the school. When I informed other teachers of the case, Matewu withdrew her children from the school despite having paid full year’s fees. I informed my husband, and we proceeded to Matewu’s homestead in the company of Village head Kasinagwara, the village chairman and other people.
“It was our first time to meet, and she first denied ever accusing me, but later admitted telling her children that I was a witch. She later shifted goalposts and claimed she gave an example of me having struck the tank with lightning.
“I challenged her on why she was giving an example she does not know. I suspected that Matewu discussed the issue with another villager in the presence of her children, who later spread the information. The matter was referred to Headman Nemaire’s court and she admitted the allegations.
“Her husband also told the court that they indeed discussed the issue as a family. She was fined a beast and a goat to be paid in three months,” she said.
Matewu denied the allegations, and told the court that she made the concession under duress as her home had been besieged by village authorities and Muchirewesi.
“I never accused her of practicing witchcraft or even discussed such issues with my children. We do not know each other, so how can I accuse her? They came as a huge delegation to my homestead, threatening to assault me, and forcing me to make an admission. I never withdrew my children from the school, but they were not attending classes because they did not have everything required,” said Matewu.
Chief Makoni absolved Matewu of wrongdoing, citing discrepancies in evidence which was sourced from minor children who are capable of saying anything.
He also said the lightning incident took place when Muchirewesi was not at the school, hence Matewu cannot accuse her of orchestrating it.
“The evidence presented in this court as regards this case is very weak. The persons who told Muchirewesi the said information are minors in their primary school. Muchirewesi and Matewu do not know each other.
“Most importantly, when the lightning struck the tank, Muchirewesi was not yet at the school. Why would Matewu accuse her of something that happened when she was not yet at the school? This case has many doubts and loopholes. Muchirewesi’s application is dismissed,” ruled Chief Makoni.
