THERE was chaos at a village in Chiweshe early yesterday when a naked man, from a nearby village, was found roaming in the village in what some of the the elders claimed was a case of ‘witchcraft.’
Villagers in Nyamunetsa village identified the man as Mwase and they said he was from a nearby village.
He was given a white garment to cover himself as more villagers poured onto the scene to witness this strange event.
Later, he was given a blue shirt and a pair of blue trousers to wear.
Mwase, appeared disoriented and, in a trance-like state, kept mumbling incoherently when he was being questioned by the villagers about his presence in his naked state.
Village head, Sabhuku Nyamunetsa, said such incidents were rare and his main concern was that it had unsettled his community.
“Witchcraft goes against everything we believe in and we will have to address this.
“This man’s behaviour has caused fear and confusion.
“We just hope that if there are some accomplices, let them be exposed,” he said.
Chief Makope sent a messenger to monitor the situation.
The chief has since summoned all the involved parties to his traditional court for further investigations,
The meeting is set for this Saturday.
A local prophet was called to the scene and performed some rituals, which he claimed were meant to “counter the spirit” that appeared to be affecting Mwase.
The prophet claimed Mwase was being used by other people who are involved in ‘witchcraft’.
“He’s not the mastermind but he’s being manipulated by certain people.
‘He cannot speak properly because that ‘witchcraft spirit’ has left him.
“When he’s possessed, he can speak because it’s the spirit talking,” the prophet claimed.
One of the witnesses said:
“When I arrived, he was standing there naked, looking confused and had bruises all over his body, as if he had fallen,” said one of the first witnesses on the scene.
“He was speaking in a strange way and his statements didn’t make sense.
“We called Sabhuku and he immediately came.”
Another witness also confirmed the story that he had seen Mwase roaming around the village in a naked state.
The situation escalated when Mwase began accusing some individuals, including his own aunt, identified as Mai Makuva, of being involved in ‘witchcraft’.
However, Mai Makuva denied any involvement in acts of ‘witchcraft.’
“These accusations are false. I’m a traditional healer. I help people, I don’t harm them,” said said.
“You have tarnished my name. How many times did I ask you and your mother to consult spiritual leaders and you refused?
“We need consultations so that the truth is known. I am a traditional healer but I’m yet to be licensed.”
Mwase also mentioned Sekuru Banda, from Forester, whom he said he wanted to go and see him.
He said he has never seen him before but he wanted to go and see him.
He also claimed that he had been given some annointed water from a woman called Mai Clayton to scare away witches.
“He mentioned names of people we know,” an elderly villager said.
“It seems there are his accomplices and they are among us.”
Mwase’s aunt managed to get him to speak.
“I was hearing my sister’s voice telling me to bulldoze anything in front of me,” he said in a very faint voice.
“We agreed not to tell each other the truth.”
Mwase was later released into the care of his relatives ahead of his appearance at Chief Makope’s traditional court on Saturday.