The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
A RUSAPE family is living in fear after one of their own brought home a bag containing paraphernalia associated with witchcraft.
The items that were found in the bag include two horns, four goblins, a black cloth, beads, multi-coloured cloths, black mamba skin, a knobkerrie, US$30, a white garment written Masiwanamai Apostolic Faith Mission and a live tortoise.
Ishmael Mapuweyi of Magamba, Rusape, spent a week with the bag after partially opening it. Mapuweyi insists that he is not the owner of the bag.
He claims that he erroneously picked a fellow passenger’s bag when he recently hitchhiked.
He, however, is having problems with his siblings who are accusing him of dabbling in underworld activities.
The items found in the bag
“On December 26, my friend Takemore and I boarded a blue Fun Cargo our way from Nyazura to Rusape. I sat next to three people in the car and my red satchel was placed in the boot. There was also another red satchel, similar to mine in the boot.
“A male adult who was seated next to me disembarked first and took a red satchel from the boot and I assumed that he took his.
“I later disembarked at Magamba turn-off and took this bag and headed home. I called my mother telling her that I have brought her some maize cobs and pumpkins. She opened the bag and she found a black jacket and a traditional healers’ hat. She zipped the bag up and placed it in the bathroom.
“We kept the bag until today (January 12, 2023) when I decided to take it to a local apostolic church. I explained to them about the background and they just gave me three stones then told me to leave the bag at the church. They said I should return on Saturday to burn the bag.
“However when I returned home, to my surprise I found a live tortoise inside a metal bucket in the bathroom.
“I went back to the church and told them about the tortoise and they handed me the bag back. My father later called Madzibaba Moses Mwanza and he came and opened the bag.
“All along I was not aware of what was in the bag. I took so long to open the bag because I was going to work very early and knocking very late so today I am free at home.
“However, we had noticed that a three-month-old baby at home was crying hysterically each time she was taken inside the house. I am telling the truth, these things are not mine. I also did not steal this bag,” Mapuweyi said.
Madzibaba Mwanza of Johane Masowe Bethelema said the objects are used for witchcraft purposes and burnt them at his shrine on Thursday night.
“These objects are used for witchcraft purposes. The horns are used to attack people while the tortoise steals in fields. I burnt the objects in the presence of Mapuweyi, his family and church members. I believe nothing will backfire.
“It is, however, not clear whether Mapuweyi is telling the truth or not,” said Madzibaba Mwanza.
