Three self-styled traditional healers arrested

the arrest of Stewart Seramwe, Mufundisi Sekandeni both from Gokwe South under Chief Nemangwe and Chief Njelele respectively and Tawanda Dzhori of Chiwundura area.
He said the tsikamutandas were arrested on Monday in Mutorahuku Village in Chiwundura after conducting a cleansing ceremony.

“I can confirm that we arrested three men who were moving around in Chiwundura purporting to cleanse evil spirits.
“It is said the three, Seramwe, Sikandeni and Dzhori were called at Mutorahuku Village, Chief Chiwundura’s area by the village head who had organised a cleansing ceremony for his village.

“During the cleansing ceremony, an elderly woman aged about 75 years was accused that she was a witch. The tsikamutandas also alleged that the elderly woman was possessed by evil spirits,” said Insp Mahoko.

He said the three suspects demanded three cattle as payment or US$350 for her to be cleansed.
“The elderly woman advised her relatives of the incident and a report was made to the police. Seramwe, Sikandeni and Dzhori were arrested and are assisting police with investigations.

“They are being charged for contravening Section 99 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, ‘indicating witches and wizards’. It is an offence for any person to accuse another of practising witchcraft,” he said.

Insp Mahoko appealed to the people of Chiwundura or any other area who have fallen victim to the acts of the tsikamutandas to report to the nearest police station.
The three tsikamutandas last week claimed, in an interview, to have powers of identifying and exposing “witches” and “treating” the sick for a fee.
The tsikamutandas have been operating in Chief Chiwundura’s area since September last year.

They had covered 39 villages before their arrest on Monday.
The leader of the tsikamutandas who gave his name as Christopher Chikasha, said his team’s operations were above board as they were invited by the villagers through their leader, Chief Chiwundura.

Midlands’ Provincial Administrator Ms Cecilia Chitiyo, condemned the operations of the tsikamutandas.
She said their operations were illegal and divisive. Such self-styled traditional healers have caused havoc in many parts of the country.