malvernmugadzikwa
A MARONDERA MAN has admitted possessing “mubobobo” — juju that allows him to engage in non-physical intimacy with women — after a live tortoise was plucked from his pants by a spiritual healer during a cleansing ceremony.
The elderly Siriro Satande recently confessed before Chief Mutasa’s community court to using mubobobo on family members and strangers for years.
The bizarre revelations emerged after Hazvineyi Satande (22) had dragged her late father’s siblings — Siriro, Naboth, Irene, Moses and Mavis Satande — to Chief Mutasa’s community court, accusing them of witchcraft and harbouring an avenging spirit.
She claimed this development was responsible for mental illnesses afflicting her and her two brothers — Simbarashe (19) and Justin (29).
Hazvineyi further revealed that the mental illness also plagued her parents, leading to their recent deaths.
“Yes, I did it (mubobobo), and afterwards, I would get gratification like in any normal intimacy.
“However, after the tortoise was removed from my pants, the pain I had on my leg briefly eased,” he said, without explaining how and when he acquired this so-called “bluetooth” magic.
The tortoise removed from Siriro had some old coins glued on its shell.
Village head Newengo, who also testified in court, said Siriro previously claimed his leg was the source of his discomfort.
However, witnesses suggested that the mubobobo charm was tormenting him.
“We approached a spiritual healer who told us that Siriro always has something breathing in his pants, which he uses as mubobobo and that he lies to people that his leg hurts.
“He walks with a limp, suggesting that he has a painful leg. We heard that he had at least three surgical operations on the leg to no avail.
“However, it has turned out that the pain is connected to the mubobobo. After retrieving the tortoise, the spiritual healer took it with him to his home, but later advised us that he had burnt it as it had started molesting female members of his family.
“Even on the day it was plucked from Siriro’s pants, the tortoise was put on the ground and it moved towards where the women were seated.
“It did not shock us because we had been foretold that it would act in that manner because it was used to being intimate with women,” he said.
Hazvineyi told the court how the illness was tormenting them, while the extended family lead luxury lifestyles and drive flashy cars.
“My brothers are suffering from recurring mental illness, which make us violent at times. Our parents went through the same illness and eventually died.
“One of my brothers was affected by the same illness in July, before I fell victim to it in August.
“It becomes so severe that when under attack, we do strange things, leading to complaints from the authorities and the community. This has led the community to keep us chained on our beds most of the times,” she narrated.
Hazvineyi said Justin had skipped the court session after disappearing from home as a result of the illness.
“I am the one who takes care of my ailing brothers and we survive from food handouts from the community. The Satandes do not care about us. Whenever they visit, they expect us to give them food, but they do not care to know where we get the food from.
“I know they want us all to die from this mental illness, which is why I approached this court to intervene,” she said, sobbing.
Chief Mutasa, moved by Hazvineyi’s painful account, drew his wallet and pulled a U$50 note which he gave her, together with a 50-kilogramme bag of maize.
He criticised the Satandes for ignoring the plight of their late brother’s children, despite being aware of their spiritual afflictions.
“You know there is an avenging spirit wreaking havoc in your family, yet you have done nothing to help them. How can you live comfortably in your homes while your late brother’s children are suffering spiritually and physically?” he quipped.
Chief Mutasa adjourned the proceedings so that other family members who had skipped the court session would be summoned to attend the next sitting. — Manica Post
**********
Bindura woman jailed for burning teen’s hand
A Bindura woman was sentenced to 30 months’ incarceration for a heinous act of violence.
Ropafadzo Kalolo (27) was found guilty of assault after inflicting serious injury on a vulnerable 15-year-old girl.
On November 11, Kalolo, driven by a malevolent intent, invaded the innocent girl’s home in Chiwaridzo.
Accusations of US$16 theft ignited rage within her twisted soul.
With a heart devoid of compassion, she unleashed a torrent of violence upon the defenceless child, striking her repeatedly with switches.
In an outrageous display of brutality, Kalolo escalated her assault, igniting a gas stove and burning the girl’s left palm.
The flames left the victim scarred, both physically and emotionally. The once delicate hand, now a testament to Kalolo’s cruelty, bore the indelible mark of her savage attack.
The court deemed Kalolo’s actions reprehensible.
Justice was served as the woman was condemned to a prison cell, a fitting punishment for her heinous crime. — Wires
**********
Plumtree man arrested for stoning woman who rejected him
Mhlalisi Ngwenya, a man accused of stoning a woman who rejected his romantic advances, has been arrested.
The incident occurred in May 2023 when Ngwenya proposed to Future Ndebele, who turned him down. Despite her rejection, Ngwenya pursued her.
On October 7, 2023, Ngwenya approached Ndebele once more with his proposal. When she refused again, he reacted violently, throwing stones at her leg.
In addition to the assault charge, Ngwenya is also facing theft charges. He is being accused of stealing a speaker from a local bar.
He appeared before Plumtree magistrate Joshua Nembaware and was granted US$30 bail.
His trial is scheduled for November 28, 2023. — Wires
**********
Mpilo Hospital employee sent to prison for stealing from patients
A 34-year-old employee at Mpilo Central Hospital has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of stealing mobile phones from patients while they were in a vulnerable state.
The court proceedings revealed that the worker exploited the patients’ illnesses to commit the thefts, leading to his conviction for three counts of theft after a full trial.
The court imposed a conditional sentence, allowing the accused to serve 315 hours of community service instead of the full prison term. Bulawayo magistrate Nomagugu Maphosa suspended three months of the sentence, and the remaining nine months were suspended on condition the offender performs and completes community service at Cowdray Park Primary School.
According to prosecutor Hazel Siphiwe Sithole, Lizuba Nkosi Ngula from Nkulumane suburb is employed by the Global Fund and attached to Mpilo Central Hospital as an HIV testing counsellor.
The court was told that in the first count, Ngula stole a Samsung Galaxy A05 phone from Lucy Machingauta (36), who resides in Queens Park, Bulawayo.
“On November 6, 2024, around 10am, the complainant was admitted to Mpilo Hospital post-natal unit and the accused person took her Samsung Galaxy A05 cellphone and went away. The complainant made a police report, leading to the arrest of the accused person. The total value stolen was US$100 and was recovered.
“In the second count, on November 6, 2024 and at Mpilo Hospital post-natal ward 1, room 5, Lizuba Nkosi Ngula unlawfully, intentionally and without permission or authority from Martha Luwe unlawfully took an Itel P36 cellphone knowing that Martha Luwe was entitled to it,” said Sithole.
In the third count, Ngula, on November 8, is said to have stolen an O King cellphone from Shamiso Ndlovu (19) of the Ndlovu homestead, Chief Sogwala, in Lower Gweru, at Mpilo Hospital post-natal ward 1, room 5. — Bulawayo Bureau
**********
Man killed after dispute over braai meat
Police have arrested Tatenda Chida (26) in connection with the murder of Sikhanyiso Bruce Dube (30) from Pumula North.
The arrest follows a disturbing incident that occurred on October 22, 2024, during a seemingly innocuous gathering at a local butchery.
According to Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the two men were braaing meat when a disagreement broke out after Dube inadvertently touched Chida’s food.
Witnesses say the situation escalated quickly, with Chida allegedly assaulting Dube.
Dube was assisted by friends and managed to leave the scene; however, he was later found dead under a tree near Pumula High School on October 24. — Bulawayo Bureau
Online Reporter