The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A MUTARE family allegedly defiled the Zimunya land by throwing their late father’s wizardry paraphernalia into a dam in Chikanga suburb.
For committing the offence, the family has to pay a US$300 fine after Acting Chief Zimunya found them guilty of committing the offense.
Acting Chief Zimunya said the money will be used for rituals to cleanse the area.
Tapiwa Matondo, his mother, Cecilia Matondo and his brother, Lewis Matondo, allegedly threw the paraphernalia into the dam as noone wanted the items.
“These are some of the things that cause misfortunes in my area. If we continue turning a blind eye to these misdemeanours, more people will follow suit and it will be a free for all situation,” ruled Acting Chief Zimunya.
He also linked the dumping of the paraphernalia to suicide cases reported at the dam.
The matter was revealed by Tapiwa’s brother, Jairos Matondo, who said the incident happened after they refused to inherit their father’s wizardry paraphernalia which included a knobkerrie.
He said some of the paraphernalia were burnt after his father joined a white garment church before his death. However, he refused to burn the knobkerrie and other stuff.
The old man is alleged to have succumbed to a strange illness after burning the paraphernalia.
“My father was a feared man in our Matondo area as everyone believed that he was a wizard. When he died, all his children refused to inherit the knobkerrie and a bag that contained strange stuff. We did not know what to do with the stuff and decided to dispose it,” he said.
He said the things were later left at the Matondo homestead and that is when Tapiwa connived with Lewis and their mother to dump the paraphernalia in Chikanga Dam without informing other family members.
They allegedly bought a new knobkerrie to replace the one that belonged to their father.
Tapiwa confirmed dumping his late father’s items in the dam.
He, however, blamed Lewis for letting the cat out of the bag, highlighting that they had planned and executed the task together.
“We threw the paraphernalia away because noone wanted to be associated with it. It was black in colour and heavy to carry. My father used it after he suffered a stroke, otherwise it was not associated with acts of wizardly.
“Before our father’s death, he said the person who would look after our mother would inherit the knobkerrie, but noone wanted it. We disposed the paraphernalia with the blessings of our mother.
“We would have gotten away with it had it not been for Lewis who went behind our backs and reported the matter to the headman,” he said.
Jairos, who dragged Tapiwa to the court pleading that he also chips in looking after their ailing mother, suspects that their father’s dumped paraphernalia is causing her sickness.
“At one time, she was rescued while trying to throw herself in a dam in Vumba. Mysterious things are happening in the family.
“Tapiwa has also put tenants in the family house and is squandering the money. He is totally ignoring our mother. He also lies that he is using the money he collects to buy our late father’s tombstone,” said Jairos.
Acting Chief Zimunya ordered Tapiwa to use the money he is getting from the tenants to cater for his mother’s welfare.
Tapiwa, Lewis and their mother were also told to pay the US$300 fine by July 31.
