The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube Post Correspondent —
MINISTER of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Chris Mushohwe, has taken a swipe at traditional leaders who are working in unison with tsikamutandas to extort villagers’ money and livestock.
He urged church leaders, Ministry of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage and police to work together and stop them from misleading people as well as causing confusion and unrest in families.
He described tsikamutanda as “bogus”, “rapists”, “extortionists”, “thieves” and “magicians” who should not be allowed to operate anywhere in Zimbabwe.
Dr Mushohwe was speaking on the sidelines of a welcome ceremony of Reverend Mathias Marinyame who is now leading the Mount Makomwe circuit in Marange last Sunday.
The ceremony was attended by scores of people from surrounding villages.
“Cabinet took a very strong position that these bogus magicians called tsikamutandas should not be allowed to operate anywhere in Zimbabwe. The onus was put on the Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage Minister, Honourable Abedinico Ncube to make sure that these people are wiped out. This menace should be put to an end.
“I am surprised that they continue to wreak havoc in Marange. Marange is infested with these people, but police are saying they have no power to arrest them. The tsikamutandas are threatening villagers and everyone who resist their summons. Chiefs and headmen should not entertain these people. Youths motivated by politics are hoodwinking villagers. This must come to an end,” fumed Dr Mushohwe.
He challenged church leaders to conscientise villagers about the tsikamutandas trickery and deceptive machinations, saying a Christian society does not delve into primitive and ungodly beliefs.
“To men of cloth, please preach against this nuisance. It does not make us Christians. They come all the way from Mutoko and Binga to do their so-called cleansing here, are they telling us that where they come from there are no witches? Most people have lost their livestock. Decisive action must be taken. It is worrying that tsikamutandas are sexually molesting school children as well as raping people’s wives,” added Dr Mushohwe.
He hailed acting Chief Zimunya for leading by example in the quest to wipe out the dubious witch-hunters.
