Tortoise Terror! Woman arrested for using “cursed” reptile to demand unpaid wages

A 58-year-old woman found herself in hot water after pulling a bizarre stunt to get her unpaid wages—by using a “cursed” tortoise, painted red with needles.

The Wildlife Act prohibits the capture, possession, or transportation of wild animals without a permit.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) in a statement on X, said “Sithembiso Budzirikawa (58) appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on charges of contravening the Wildlife Act.

“On the 21st of August 2024 the accused person took a live tortoise from Chabwino farm in Goromonzi to her workplace where she demanded her unpaid wages. Upon realising that she was not getting the money, the accused person threatened the Human Resources Manager with the tortoise,” said the

The statement added that she was going to use the tortoise to get her money. “The tortoise was covered in red floor polish and a red piece of cloth with needles was tied around it. A Police NPAZ. A report was made and the accused person failed to produce a permit granting her the authority to move the tortoise as she had done, leading to her arrest.”

Budzirikawa was found guilty and must either pay a $300 fine or spend three months in jail, said the NPAZ.