The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Weekender Correspondent
IN a macabre real life drama that has left Chiutani villagers in Chimanimani and surrounding areas weak-kneed, an elderly woman has revealed that she has been forcing her granddaughter to breastfeed a snake.
The matter came to light last week on Saturday at Chief Saurombe’s court when Gogo Dalice Dzamura was summoned to answer to the witchcraft allegations that were being levelled against her by her granddaughter, Portia Dzemura.
Portia is in her early 20s.
Gogo Dzemura admitted to practising witchcraft and forcing her grandchild, Portia, to breastfeed a snake.
She, however, did not reveal why she was forcing Portia to breastfeed the reptile.
Chief Saurombe found her guilty and ordered her to pay a fine of three goats on Sunday.
Three traditional healers and exorcists will conduct cleansing ceremonies for both Gogo Dzemura and Portia.
During the court session, Portia was in tears as she narrated her ordeal.
Her mother spoke of how her daughter is now an outcast in the community due to the case.
“It is a strange and sad development. We have heard of witchcraft cases before, but this one is extraordinary. We hope that this matter will be put to rest so that my daughter can be freed from this bondage.
“She is a young woman who looks forward to getting married and having a family of her own. Most men are now shunning her because of this. Those who were close to her are now distancing themselves from her,” said Portia’s mother.
In an interview, Chief Saurombe said the case is strange, scary and unheard of.
“Portia approached our courts revealing that she was being forced to breastfeed a snake which appears and disappears. She revealed that milk oozes out of her breasts when the snake is about to breastfeed. This is the first time I have heard of such a case in my area.
“Gogo Dzemura has confessed to practising witchcraft and causing misfortunes in the village. She says she was forcing Portia to breastfeed the snake.
“Portia is a troubled woman as the society now views her as an outcast,” said Chief Saurombe.
