adminLoveness Mpofu, Sunday News Reporter
A NKETA 9 tenant’s bid to bewitch his landlord so that he forgets to ask him for rental arrears backfired when the charms he had used were accidentally exhumed from the yard by council workers who were digging trenches.
The charms that the tenant, Mr Itai Nyanhanda (48) used included a small bottle with liquid, needles, ashes, keys and a red cloth with names of the landlord, Mr Tshadayi Nimohola (51), his wife Mrs Qinisani Nimohola and his brother Mr Christopher Ndlovu (56) scribbled on it.
Mr Nyanhanda, a father of two who was renting at 7412 Nketa 9 confirmed that he indeed performed the ritual after he was instructed to do so by a prophet he met in town. He was evicted from the house on Thursday.
“I met a prophet who prophesied that I had many problems. I then told him about my money problems and debts that I had from failure to pay rent.
“He then told me that he can deal with the problem and instructed me to write the names of my landlord, his wife and his brother and bury the cloth together with other things to make them forget about the arrears and the rentals,” said Mr Nyanhanda.
Mr Ndlovu said the moment he saw the cloth and their names, he quickly suspected that it was their tenant who was behind that since there had been quarrels between them over rent.
“I told him to write down some details for me on a piece of paper under the pretence that he was supposed to go to the address and get a water meter, since it was stolen. I then compared the two handwritings and realised they were the same. That is when he admitted to doing it,” said Mr Ndlovu.
Mr Ndlovu said even when they were removing Mr Nyanhanda’s property from the house; some concoctions were falling to the ground.
Ward 25 councillor Mr Mzamo Dube said it was alarming for residents as they wouldn’t expect tenants to do such things. He said there was no religion that supports that form of conduct.
“We don’t want people like this in our community. I always tell residents during meetings that these evil deeds always have a way of coming out.
“This is a serious case in which he can be arrested because of the evidence against him. Reporting him to the police is a decision that should be taken by the family,” said Clr Dube.
He warned residents against using umuthi. He said if they are facing problems, it is better to negotiate with the person concerned and seek help from others.
“Landlords should be cautious about the people they lease their houses to,” said Clr Dube.
Mr Ndlovu said as a family they have forgiven Mr Nyanhanda and they would not lay charges against him.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter