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Hazel Marimbiza
WITCH-hunters in Matopo left villagers in shock after cutting those they accused of a�?witchcrafta�� with razor blades on their foreheads (ukucaba/kutema nyora), a brand which marks that they are witches.
The witch-hunters are reported to have forcefully cleansed villagersa�� homesteads in Halale and put marks on those they accused of practisinga�?witchcrafta�?.
a�?Many innocent and helpless people were tortured after being accused of witchcraft,a�? said a villager Sithembile Dube.
One of the witch-huntersa�� victims is an 87-year-old granny.
A source that spoke on condition of anonymity said the old woman, Kundu Dhliwayoa��s (ABOVE), a�?witchcrafta�? accusations unfolded after witch-hunters heard rumours about the mysterious deaths of her three children.
a�?Dhliwayoa��s three children died within a period of six months. All of them complained of pains in the stomach and chest areas before they died.
a�?Her relatives blamed her for the death of her children saying she killed them so as to later use them as goblins,a�? said the source.
Dhliwayo is reported to have been tortured by witch-hunters after they heard her relatives labelling her a witch.
a�?She was dragged with hands and feet bound and tossed screaming on the ground while witch-hunters slightly cut her forehead with a razor blade,a�? added the source.
When B-Metro got hold of Dhliwayo she said the accusations and attacks by witch-hunters were her worst nightmare.
a�?Witch-hunters summoned all villagers and they told me to step forward. They told me that I am a witch.
a�?At that moment I was so terrified that I stood up and started running but they ran after me and caught me before I went far.
a�?My husband tried to rescue me but they forcefully shoved him away.
a�?They dragged me and pushed me to the ground. My clothes were torn by then. They cut me and blood started dripping from my forehead,a�? said Dhliwayo.
Dhliwayo said what pained her most was being accused of killing her own children.
a�?I would never kill my children. All of them are dead and I miss them. I have nothing to live for now besides my husband,a�? said Dhliwayo.
Chief Malachi Masuku condemned the horrendous acts that took place in Halale village where witch-hunters were forcefully cleansing the whole village.
a�?Witch-hunters are not allowed to force people to be cleansed. They are only allowed to cleanse those who want to be cleansed. The bad part is that after cutting villagersa�� heads some of the wounds will never heal,a�? he said.
Masuku said the witch-hunters had violated the law because he never gave them permission to cleanse peoplea��s homesteads.
a�?I have never ordered them to go around cleansing peoplea��s homesteads. Individuals who feel they need cleansing are the ones who are free to invite witch-hunters in their homes.a�?
Online Reporter