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Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa on Wednesday said there was a need for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women including in the traditional leadership structures where men dominate.
Addressing traditional leaders in Harare during a meeting that was held under the theme “Enhancing Justice Outcomes for women in traditional courts of Zimbabwe”, Mutsvangwa said women are entitled to equal rights and dignity as men.
She cited the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa, a protocol that guarantees extensive rights to women, including the right to take part in the political processes, social and political equality with men, improved autonomy in their reproductive health decisions, and an end to harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, among others. Said Mutsvangwa (<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200023745/mutsvangwa-calls-for-more-women-chiefs">via NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
The protocol emphasises that women are entitled to equal rights and dignity as men, and are encouraged to uphold African cultural values that promote equality, dignity, justice and democracy.
Traditional courts can play a crucial role in addressing gender issues by providing a culturally sensitive and accessible forum for women to seek justice and work towards reversing harmful traditional practices that perpetuate gender inequalities.
</blockquote>
Mutsvangwa said having women in traditional leadership structures would promote a more gender-sensitive and inclusive justice system.
The President of the National Chiefs Council, Mtshana Khumalo said every traditional leadership structure in the country now includes women. He said:
<blockquote>
We now have women as village heads, as chiefs, as headmen, and as assessors.
They also enjoy those cultural chores equal to men, which was taboo before the enactment of the Constitution.
</blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, traditional leaders have a crucial role to play owing to their authority and proximity to the people and their primary mandate to preserve customs and traditions derived from the Constitution.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Mutsvangwa Calls For The Inclusion Of More Women In Traditional Leadership Structures

There was chaos at Hotsprings Secondary School in Chimanimani on Monday last week after irate parents stormed the institution, accusing two teachers of initiating more than 23 learners into satanism.
Anti-riot police officers were deployed to the school as the angry parents protested and shouted profanities at the two teachers (names withheld).
According to <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/satanism-scare-at-hotsprings-secondary-school/">The Manica Post</a>, since Sunday, learners at the school have been behaving strangely, including throwing themselves on the ground and uttering inaudible words.
Netsai Kudana of Nemutenzi Village told the publication that her brother’s 15-year-old daughter, whom she stays with, experienced unexplained phenomena the previous day, together with four other girls at one of the teachers’ houses. She said:
<blockquote>
My niece has been struggling to walk since yesterday (Sunday) when she manifested and slithered like a snake. We are clueless about how to assist her, the teachers involved should give us the answers.
It all started yesterday morning when we heard that my niece’s classmate was manifesting at the school’s staff quarters.
People gathered to witness the drama. At least four girls were writhing on the ground and uttering inaudible words.
My niece then fell to the ground and started slithering like a snake. Her classmate said she is part of the group that was initiated into satanism by their teacher.
</blockquote>
Maxwell Macheza claimed that his daughter was the first one to “manifest” during a church service. He said:
<blockquote>
It happened at church and we decided to take her to the teacher’s house. She said the teacher (name provided) was directing her to kill her mother and offer her as a sacrifice to the cult.
She said they were initiated through sweets. Apparently, this teacher sells sweets at the school. At least five learners manifested yesterday.
They all claimed that there were three snakes in the teacher’s house. They also claimed that there is a clay pot with their names in the teacher’s house.
</blockquote>
A School Development Committee (SDC) member, Gloria Machaya, accused the school head, a Mr Matsikure, of working in connivance with the two teachers. She said:
<blockquote>
We asked Chief Mutambara to second a traditional healer to the school and he had agreed, but the school headmaster, Mr Matsikure, called the chief in our presence.
He did not know that the chief’s phone was on loudspeaker and he told him that he suspected that everything was being stage-managed.
He said the learners were faking everything. That is why Chief Mutambara asked us to bring the children to his place.
</blockquote>
In an interview with The Manica Post on Tuesday, Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Edward Shumba confirmed the disturbances but said finding a lasting solution to the issue is beyond their jurisdiction as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Acting Chief Mutambara said he was still waiting to hear from the SDC as he had instructed them to bring the affected learners to his place so that he could deal with the matter.
On Tuesday, the parents besieged the school again, insisting that teachers should be transferred.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Parents Besiege School, Accuse Two Teachers Of Initiating Learners Into Satanism

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is hunting for a Hurungwe woman, Sekai Zimbowa, for theft and sale of Presidential farming inputs. A police statement seen by Pindula News says Zimbowa was selling the stolen inputs at her shop in Hurungwe. Read the report:
<blockquote>
Police in Tengwe are appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Sekai Zimbowa (28) who is being sought in connection with a case of theft of Presidential inputs in which the suspect was selling the Presidential inputs at her shop at Makakara Business Centre on 15/11/23. The police have since recovered 91 X 50 kg bags of compound D fertilizers from the suspect’s shop.
</blockquote>
ZRP is also investigating two other cases of theft involving Presidential inputs. One of the incidents took place on November 5, 2023, in Kyle Village, Rafingora, Mutorashanga. During the distribution process, 20 bags of 50 kg compound D fertilizers, 3 bags of 50 kg maize seed, and 3 bags of 50 kg vegetable seeds were stolen.
The other incident occurred on November 13, 2023, in Magunje, where 18 bags of 50 kg of Soya bean seeds were stolen. The ZRP is working to find those responsible for these thefts. 
Farmers who are part of the Presidential Inputs Programme receive inputs free of charge. However, some beneficiaries facing poverty end up selling their share of inputs. In addition, there have been cases where officials steal the inputs intended for farmers and sell them. One such example is  <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Douglas_Karoro">Douglas Karoro</a>, who was <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2022/06/02/president-mnangagwa-dismissed-deputy-minister-karoro/">eventually dismissed from his position</a> as Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Woman Wanted For Stealing And Selling Presidential Farming Inputs

Jailed comedienne, <a href="https://wiki.pindula.co.zw/Mai_Titi">Mai TT</a>, has appealed to the High Court against her conviction for theft of trust property.
Mai TT maintains she had no intention to deprive Rachel Mhuka of her US$10 000 or Else Event Car Hire of its vehicle.
<a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/jailed-mai-tt-maintains-innocence/">H-Metro</a> reported that the hearing of the comedienne’s case was postponed to 06 November 2023 by High Court judges, Justices Happious Zhou and Benjamin Chikowero, after the State asked for more time to file its arguments.
Mai TT, whose real name is Felistas Murata, argues that the magistrate, who convicted her, erred in her findings that she had used the vehicle as collateral.
Through her lawyer, Tafadzwa Muvhami of Muvahami Attorneys, Mai “Total Trouble” submitted that Mhuka had every reason to lie to the court after realising that the car left in her company was repossessed.
She said she had no binding trust agreement with Mhuka and it wasn’t her intention to permanently deprive the car dealership.
Allegations were that in September 2022, Mai TT approached Rachel Mhuka saying she was in need of US$10 000 so that she could start a business.
She allegedly volunteered to give Mhuka a Mercedes Benz (AFF9759), which she claimed belonged to her, as surety.
Mai TT told Mhuka that she would forfeit the Mercedes Benz in the event that she failed to repay the US$10 000 on or before 30 November 2022.
The State alleges that acting on the misrepresentation, Mhuka gave Murata US$10 000.
After some days, Mai Titi allegedly returned to Mhuka and demanded back the car saying it did not belong to her.
She allegedly offered Mhuka an Audi Q5 (AFG3701) and an expired passport as surety.
Sometime in January this year, Mhuka was then approached by police from ZRP Rhodesville, who then seized the Audi Q5 saying it belonged to Else Event Car Hire.
Mhuka then lodged a complaint with the police leading to Mai TT’s arrest.
It is further alleged that Mai Titi approached Liberty Kudakwashe Vazhura at Else Car Rental intending to hire an Audi Q5.
Vazhura and Mai Titi then entered into an agreement where she was supposed to pay US$770 per week and a lease agreement was signed.
She failed to make the weekly payments, which prompted Vazhura to order her to return the car.
Vazhura then reported the matter to the Rhodesville Police Station.
The car was recovered from Mhuka’s place of residence where Mai Titi had surrendered it as collateral.
Mai TT reportedly later paid back the US$10 000 in full.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mai TT Appeals Against Conviction For Theft

Three siblings from Chimanimani District have approached a traditional court seeking to find out why 16 of their female relatives between the ages of 20 and 40 are not yet married.
The three, Loveness Chihota (34), Anniah Chokera (27) and Liberty Chokera, said they want to know what is causing marriage delays in the family.
They are accusing their uncles Oliver, Nobert, Lovemore, John, Ngwarirai and Tendai Chokera of witchcraft, and have dragged them to Acting Chief Saurombe’s court.
Speaking in a recent interview with <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/family-of-16-unmarried-women/">The Manica Post</a>, Anniah claimed that each time one of them elopes, she is sent back within a week as they manifest with some spirit demanding them back home. She said:
<blockquote>
We are cousins suffering from this strange phenomenon. In fact, a total of 16 women are not married in our family. We have tried to seek an audience with our fathers, but it seems as if all of them do not care.
They act as if they are working in cohorts to stop us from getting married. We have secretly approached spiritual healers and we were told that our fathers are behind our suffering.
It is getting out of hand because when one of us elopes, they are possessed by an unknown spirit and manifests in front of the in-laws.
Within a week, they would have sent you back to your parents’ home. This has been happening for a long time. Most of us have encountered this.
</blockquote>
Testifying before the court, Loveness said women from her family are very good looking but men in the area are now afraid of befriending or dating women. Said Loveness:
<blockquote>
We have tried to engage our fathers over this issue, but our pleas have been falling on deaf ears.
We decided to seek the services of the traditional courts for our plea to be heard.
We are good looking, but potential suitors from our area no longer want to get close to us.
</blockquote>
She also claimed that some of their siblings suffer from bouts of mental illness.
In response to the allegations on behalf of all his brothers, Nobert said they were not responsible for what was happening in their family but were equally concerned. He said:
<blockquote>
No father wants to see his daughter remain single forever. Our daughters are very beautiful and we also wonder why no one is trying to seek their hands in marriage.
</blockquote>
The family was referred to a traditional healer, but the “sangoma” ordered them to come back with their brother, Tendai, who was absent on the day.
The matter was adjourned to Sunday, 22 October.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Family Of 16 Unmarried Women Seeks Help

Local spirit mediums and prophets have formed a new organisation called the Zimbabwe Spirit Mediums and Prophet Angels Association (ZSMPAA).
The organisation is open to all unregistered spirit mediums, prophets and midwives who wish to join.
ZSMPAA secretary general, Nyasha Mashomashoma, told <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/new-association-for-spirit-mediums-prophets-formed/">H-Metro</a> the association incorporates faith healers, pastors, and herbalists, among others.
She said they have no restrictions on who can register, but urged those who sell herbs and operate without licences to do so to protect themselves.
The organisation seeks to restore cultural values and protect ancestral sites across the country, providing spiritual ceremonies and rituals to assist those with diseases, according to Mashomashoma. She said:
<blockquote>
This is a newly registered association. This initiative seeks to restore respect and bring back cultural values of ancestral sites across the nation of Zimbabwe to facilitate a unification of all Zimbabwe spirits which have been left hovering since the Second Chimurenga.
It is guided by the principles of the Government and its mandate is to place Zimbabwean culture and heritage back to its original and founding roots.
The association further wants to create a better socio-economic-cultural Zimbabwe in which all Zimbabweans benefit from the culture of our great nation.
We want to ensure that by the end of 2024, the association has reached all corners of Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
She also said ZSMPAA intends to promote and foster research into herbal medicine.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

New Organisation For Spirit Mediums, Prophets, Herbalists Formed

A 29-year-old man from Nyanga claims that “baboons” are visiting his family demanding the money he owes a local traditional healer.
Innocent Ndaruza told <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/baboons-sent-to-collect-debt/">The Manica Post</a> that the local traditional healer, Sekuru Chihwa “helped” his wife to conceive.
He said his wife who had struggled to conceive fell pregnant soon after they sought the services of Sekuru Chihwa.
Ndaruza claimed that baboons now frequent his homestead. He said while sleeping, he and his wife hear voices singing outside, shouting that he needed to pay what he owed Sekuru Chihwa. He said:
<blockquote>
My father has two sons and we both do not have children. I ended up marrying a second wife, thinking that my first wife could not conceive. She went through so many miscarriages.
When I decided to consult Sekuru Chihwa, my brother refused to do so citing his religious beliefs.
Sekuru Chihwa told me that the person who was causing our problems would fall ill when my wife conceived. This came to pass as my father fell ill as soon as my wife became pregnant; he is still bedridden as we speak.
Sekuru Chihwa charged me US$150 for his services. I was supposed to pay it over two months. However, I failed to do so because I lost my job a month after consulting Sekuru Chihwa.
Months later when I raised the money, I went back to Sekuru Chihwa and tried to reason with him to accept my payment, but he refused, arguing that the time that his ancestors had given me had lapsed.
Sekuru Chihwa told me that I would have frequent baboon visits at my homestead. At times, one baboon comes but at times, it will be the whole troop.
These unusual visitors sit in my yard and demand the money I owe Sekuru Chihwa. When it happened for the first time, I rushed to Sekuru Chihwa with US$200, but he refused to accept it.
The baboons come to my homestead once a week in broad daylight and at night we hear voices of people singing that I should pay what I owe them.
I do not know how far Sekuru Chihwa will take this. I fear that my wife or the child she is carrying might not make it because the baboons and voices claim that they will take back what belongs to them, which in this case is the pregnancy.
</blockquote>
Ndaruza’s neighbour and uncle, Jack Ndaruza, claimed they also witnessed the baboon visits. He said:
<blockquote>
What is happening at my nephew’s homestead is stranger than fiction. If you have not witnessed it, you will think that it is a lie.
I saw one of the baboons with my own two eyes. They speak and it is frightening as I have never seen anything like this before.
</blockquote>
However, Sekuru Chihwa denied sending the baboons during an interview with The Manica Post.
He also denied orchestrating the mysterious things that were taking place at the Ndaruza homestead, saying it was the work of his ancestors. He said:
<blockquote>
I am only being used by my ancestral spirits. They are the ones who helped his wife to conceive.
They performed a “go back to sender” to the person who was behind the family’s barrenness.
It is true that this man approached me and we helped him. I told him to pay in two months, but he failed. He came back five months later with the money. Maybe he doubted my powers.
I never asked him to pay consultation fees when he visited me for my services. I felt his pain, but he later reneged on his promise to settle what I charged him for the services.
</blockquote>
He said the US$150 that Ndaruza owed him had accrued US$300 interest.
Sekuru Chihwa told the publication that he had decided to forgive Ndaruza and would take only the US$150 that he had charged him. He said:
<blockquote>
I am doing this because you have approached me on his behalf, otherwise, my ancestors were really angry with him for failing to honour our agreement.
If you are still in touch with him, tell him that the money should be paid before the end of September. If he fails to do so, then it will be a lost cause.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Nyanga Man Alleges Harassment By Baboons "Sent" By Traditional Healer

Tsholotsho villagers say a mysterious disease has left about a dozen schoolchildren unable to walk.
The villagers suspect the children are being attacked by goblins (alleged supernatural beings thought to be malevolent to people.)
According to a <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/goblins-immobilise-pupils/">B-Metro report</a>, the attacks have been happening since March this year and the affected children are from Magama Mission Primary School which is located in Ward 13 of Tsholotsho District in Matabeleland North province.
Ntulani village head Vincent Hadebe said the victims of the attacks are between the ages of five and 15 years. He said:
<blockquote>
There are about 12 children who are affected by this condition and what happens is that when it starts, the children convulse as if they are being choked by unknown creatures. This makes them feel weak and unable to walk.
These attacks mostly happen when the children are on their way to school or coming back home. We suspect that these goblins that attack the children are located someplace along the way to school because the affected children are all day scholars.
This started in March and this condition affects children between the ages of five and 15 years. The children are scared of going to school and some of our intelligent children failed to write their end-of-term examinations due to this problem.
At first, we were taking the victims to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo for treatment but all our efforts were in vain as none of them barely recovered.
We then sought permission from our traditional leaders to invite traditional healers for assistance.
</blockquote>
Traditional healers who visited the area to get rid of the problem claimed to have recovered strange creatures that include snakes, monitor lizards, human waste, a baboon and three monkeys from a number of homesteads.
Hadebe said that there are eight victims who are currently recovering. He added that the learners have started going back to school while four of them are still affected.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education communication and advocacy director Taungana Ndoro said:
<blockquote>
We have not received any information regarding the case in that particular school. However, we usually receive such cases and we use a multi-sectoral approach.
This is through engaging the traditional leaders and the head of the school to assess the situation as we do not have the expertise to deal with such matters.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Tsholotsho Villagers Attribute "Mysterious" Ailment Afflicting Learners To Goblins

An assistant driver who was involved in a traffic road accident in 2003 claims his family is being attacked by an alleged avenging spirit of a man who died in the accident.
The assistant driver, Matthew Chakandidano, recently appeared before Headman Chigodora’s court where he said the spirit of the deceased was causing mental illness and epileptic seizures in his family.
He said on the day of the accident, he was working with another driver (name not supplied), whom he alleges hit and killed Justin Saungweme.
Chakandidano believes Saungweme’s spirit is tormenting him since he was the last person he saw before he died and also because he did not attend his funeral. He said:
<blockquote>
We were driving past Saburi Business Centre when my driver and mentor hit Saungweme, his friend.
When the driver realised what had happened, he disembarked from the vehicle and rushed to the police to report the accident.
He left me at the accident scene with Saungweme’s body under the vehicle.
When villagers arrived, they assumed that I was the one who had been driving and that l had killed the man.
They did not wait for an explanation and attacked me. I lost some teeth during that fracas.
However, when the police eventually arrived with the driver, I was released by the angry mob and the driver was arrested.
After that, I did not attend Saungweme’s funeral as I was angry over the attack. I never went to the Saungweme family to pay my respects.
While I was angry, I was also afraid that the family would assault me.
</blockquote>
Chakandidano said he regrets not attending Saungweme’s funeral. He added:
<blockquote>
Apart from being mentally challenged, my relatives are also developing epilepsy. The seizures are very serious and we are always in hospital.
However, when we get to the hospital, the seizures stop and the doctors fail to diagnose any ailment.
As we speak, two children are having severe seizures at home, and I do not know if they are safe at home alone.
</blockquote>
The Saungweme family refused to attend the court session and sent the deceased’s son, David Saungweme, to inform the court of their decision.
Headman Chigodora referred the matter to Acting Chief Zimunya’s court.
The Headman advised Chakandidano and his family to appease the avenging spirit, warning that failure to do so would result in more misery for them. He said:
<blockquote>
It is an avenging spirit even though you did not kill him. You are the last person he saw before he died.
His spirit will continue haunting you until you appease it. It was an accident, but you should have attended the funeral. That was uncustomary of you.
You are neighbours with these people but decided not to attend the funeral.
</blockquote>
Africans, including some Zimbabweans, believe in the existence of avenging spirits (“Ngozi” in Shona), whose quest for revenge for some wrong perpetrated on them during their lifetime will cause enormous trouble for the guilty party and his or her family until they are appeased.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News </a>

"Avenging Spirit" Torments Driver Who Knocked Down Pedestrian

Two men from Mutare’s Dangamvura suburb drowned last weekend after diving into Fern Valley Dam trying to rescue a girl who was about to drown during an exorcism ceremony.
According to a report by <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/two-drown-as-exorcism-ceremony-goes-wrong/">The Manica Post</a>, the bodies of Paul Mupukuta (44) and Clifford Mhlanga (68) were retrieved by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Sub-Aqua Unit last Monday.
ZRP spokesperson in Manicaland Province Inspector Norbert Muzondo said the now-deceased Mupukuta approached a traditional healer, Mbuya Monica Mhlanga of Area 3, Dangamvura, to assist him in finding a solution to a spiritual problem that was allegedly affecting his family.
He said the parties proceeded to Fern Valley Dam for a cleansing ceremony where Mupukuta and Mhlanga eventually drowned.
It is alleged that during the cleansing ceremony, Mbuya Mhlanga who was cleansing Mupukuta’s 15-year-old daughter said she was feeling weak.
When the girl started drowning, her father jumped into the water to assist her while Mhlanga also dived in to rescue his wife.
Gogo Mhlanga and Mupukuta’s daughter survived, while Mupukuta and Mhlanga drowned.
The councillor for the area, Calvin Matsiya, said Fern Valley Dam was established as a recreational reservoir but people were now using it for religious, recreational or fishing purposes without permission from the local authority.
He implored members of the public to seek guidance before they partake in any activities at the dam, including weddings and parties.
However, a self-proclaimed spiritual healer only identified as Banda attributed the drownings to the work of “mermaids”. Said Banda:
<blockquote>
I am a believer in mermaid spirits. I am a worshipper of marine spirits and we should have been given a chance to carry out our rituals to save the lives of the victims before the sub-aqua unit was called.
If we had carried out an overnight vigil at the dam, the two men would have popped out of the water and slept safely on the reeds like the Biblical Moses for us to find them alive and healthy the following day.
A cleansing ritual should be done at the dam as a matter of urgency.
</blockquote>
A local resident who preferred anonymity told The Manica Post that the dam’s aquatic life is under threat from ritualists. Said the resident:
<blockquote>
We have come across people leaving different cloths, jewellery, expensive cutlery and foodstuffs such as meat and sweets.
All these items find their way into the dam. Some pour opaque beer and wine into the dam as offerings, thereby threatening the dam’s aquatic life.
We have told our children to stay away from the dam and not to take anything away from it as they can be baits put there by those who frequent the dam to recruit people into their cults.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two Men Drown During Exorcism Ceremony

A family from Chigodora under Chief Zimunya in Manicaland Province was recently hauled before a community court after it secretly reburied its six-year-old child’s empty coffin after the grave had been tampered with.
The coffin was exhumed three years ago soon after burial and whereabouts of the body remain unknown.
<a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/childs-corpse-unaccounted-for-empty-coffin-reburied/">The Manica Post</a> reported that the father’s child, Joe Mureyani, later passed on under mysterious circumstances and his wife relocated to South Africa.
However, members of the Mureyani family were dragged to Headman Chigodora’s court last Saturday to explain why they did not inform the local leadership following the incident.
The issue has since been transferred to Acting Chief Zimunya’s court and will be heard on 06 August.
Derrick Mureyani begged for forgiveness on behalf of the family when he was asked by Headman Chigodora why they did not report the matter to their Village Head or the Headman. Said Mureyani:
<blockquote>
My aunt was walking past the grave when she discovered that it had been tampered with. The grave had been dug and the coffin removed.
This happened a few days after the child’s burial. We told our elders, and we conducted a search but found nothing.
However, days later, someone saw a child’s coffin inside the house of a villager who is mentally challenged. The coffin looked like the one that we had buried the child in.
Police were alerted and the villager was arrested. He was taken to the psychiatric unit where he was evaluated and was released recently.
However, the body is yet to be found up to this day.
</blockquote>
He added that the shroud that the child’s body was wrapped in, as well as his clothes that had been put in his grave, were all found inside the coffin.
Headman Chigodora accused the family of performing rituals at the cemetery without notifying the traditional leadership. He said:
<blockquote>
As far as I am concerned, that child’s spirit is roaming around this area because the body is yet to be found. This is probably why your family is suffering from mysterious illnesses.
You had no right to visit the cemetery and perform your rituals without notifying the local leadership.
You reburied the empty coffin on your own without informing anyone. This shows that you were trying to cover up something.
Since you do not want to tell this court why you never reported this matter, it is proper for me to transfer the matter to Chief Zimunya’s court.
</blockquote>
Another family member, Shepherd Mureyani, said the traditional healers they consulted over the matter pointed the finger at the family’s patriarch, Zacharia Mureyani. He said:
<blockquote>
After the mysterious disappearance of the child’s corpse, Zacharia ordered Joe to deliver some red cloth to Clever’s home. Joe was not aware that this was a ploy to kill Clever.
However, this backfired on Joe and he died shortly afterwards. This matter was also kept under wraps for three years.
This means that both Joe and his son’s restless spirit are still roaming around this area.
</blockquote>
However, Zacharia denied being responsible for the disappearance of the child’s corpse, saying “There are a lot of witches and wizards” in the Mureyani family.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Child's Coffin Exhumed From Grave, Corpse Unaccounted For

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) have formally requested an explanation from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) regarding the release of a convicted rapist from Harare Central Prison under a recent presidential amnesty order.
The individual in question, Bobby Makaza, who is 59 years old and resides in Murehwa in Mashonaland East province, was released from Harare Central Prison on 19 May 2023 as part of a presidential amnesty declared by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 12 May 2023. The amnesty, which was aimed at reducing the prison population, benefited some inmates, including convicted sexual offenders, after President Mnangagwa gazetted Clemency Order No. 1 of 2023.
However, the ZLHR lawyers, Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Paidamoyo Saurombe, acting on behalf of Makaza’s victim, have demanded a detailed explanation from ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu about the basis upon which Makaza qualified for amnesty and subsequent release from Harare Central Prison in terms of Clemency Order No. 1 of 2023. The lawyers have informed Chihobvu that Makaza had been convicted and sentenced to serve an effective 16-year prison term on 2 April 2019, after standing trial at Murehwa Magistrates Court in Mashonaland East province on a charge of rape as defined in section 65 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
According to Chinopfukutwa and Saurombe, Makaza, being an inmate convicted of rape, which is a specified offence, was excluded from benefiting from the presidential amnesty in terms of section 12(d) as read with 13(c) of Clemency Order No.1 of 2023. The ZLHR lawyers have given Chihobvu until Friday 7 July 2023 to respond to their letter.
In the event that a court determines that the release of Bobby Makaza was illegal, the ZPCS may be compelled to re-incarcerate him, as well as any other individuals who were similarly released. The ZPCS had cited the reduction of prison overcrowding as the primary objective of the amnesty, which resulted in the release of 4,270 inmates. However, victims of violent crimes have expressed their dissatisfaction, stating that they were not consulted prior to the release of the perpetrators.
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Human Rights Lawyers Question Release Of Rapist Under Presidential Amnesty Order

Media personality Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa has expressed regret over publicly announcing her pregnancy after losing her twin babies shortly after birth.
Parirenyatwa announced her pregnancy on social media last year, revealing that she had opted to use a sperm donor while still looking for “Mr. Right” because she felt that time was running out. In a recent interview, Parirenyatwa stated that she shared her story to start a conversation about miscarriage and stillbirth, which are often taboo subjects in Zimbabwean culture.
She told Alpha Media Holdings CEO Trevor Ncube that “the first thing you should know is that not everyone is happy for you. She added:
<blockquote>
The second lesson is to safeguard beautiful things because humans destroy them. Just be quiet.
In Shona there is a saying ‘usafukure hapwa’ (loosely translated to mean don’t disclose inner secrets). That is one of those things, miscarriage or losing your child.
Mine I do not call it a miscarriage because I delivered, they were live at birth so we cannot call it a miscarriage. I lost my babies and it’s a completely different experience.
</blockquote>
She expressed her disappointment in the local culture that impinges on women’s rights, including the taboo surrounding talking about losing a child. Parirenyatwa encouraged women facing similar challenges to seek help from professionals, friends, and family. She also urged them not to feel ashamed or like a failure, as it was beyond their control. She said:
<blockquote>
I do not know how our culture says we should not talk about losing a child. It also says that you should not grieve or cry when you have lost a baby, something mythical about how it means that you will not conceive.
There are so many rules and terms and conditions that our culture has that I need to question our ancestors about.
I would tell anybody going through this that there are professionals, friends and family that you can reach out to.
There is a shame that women also carry especially if it is your first attempt at trying to become a mother. You then feel like a failure so there is a shame that you carry to say that I could not carry a child to term, my womb is not fit for motherhood.
</blockquote>
African culture often advises against publicising one’s pregnancy until after the first trimester due to high rates of miscarriage and stillbirth. Some cultures believe that announcing a pregnancy publicly may attract negative energies or evil spirits that could harm the mother and child. 
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Ruvheneko Regrets Publicising Her Pregnancy As She Loses Her Twins

An unidentified woman left passengers aboard a Gwanda-bound Inter-Africa Bus coming from Zvishavane shocked after she cried out while demanding to be dropped off so that she could take a python that was on the highway.
The woman claimed that the large reptile, which had been partially injured after being run over by the bus, was a “gift’ from her ancestors.
According to a <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/woman-cries-for-python-as-bus-runs-over-gift-from-ancestors/">B-Metro</a> report, the incident occurred on Monday evening just after Mimosa Mining Company turn-off.
The woman begged onlookers not to kill the snake after some had started picking up stones to pelt the python measuring about 2.5 metres. She said:
<blockquote>
I am the one who spotted it before it was run over by the bus. I’m supposed to go with it so that I can go and take care of it. I am asking that you let me go with it since it’s a gift from my ancestors.
</blockquote>
The woman also performed ritual-like antics while kneeling close to the reptile.
A man who was in the company of the woman in question grabbed the snake by its tail and ran around.
When he tried to put the snake in a sack, some onlookers who had run to safety, gathered courage and confronted the man.
Some were demanding that if the duo wanted to take the python with them they were supposed to give them money.
One of the onlookers grabbed the python from the man and ran away with it into the bush with the man and the woman in hot pursuit.
It was not immediately clear what the python’s eventual fate was.
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Woman Claims Python Ran Over By A Bus Was Her "Gift" From Ancestors

A 30-year-old man from Honde Valley has been reimbursed the bride price he paid by his girlfriend’s family after they deemed him unfit to marry their 21-year-old virgin daughter.
The family had been holding on to both the US$345 paid by Prince Stefano and their daughter, Chiedza Mudzedze since the marriage ceremony in March this year.
Stefano, who lives in Mandeya Village, told <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/conned-groom-gets-his-money-back/">The Manica Post</a> that he was contacted by Chiedza’s mother recently and was asked to come and collect his money.
The call came after their story was published in The Manica Post.
The Mudzedze family also accused Stefano of betraying them by reporting the matter to journalists. Said Stefano:
<blockquote>
They asked me to come and collect my money on Sunday. They wanted me to bring my ID and another relative, but I only had my father with me.
They gave us back the US$345 that I had paid as Chiedza’s bride price after lecturing to us as if we were kids.
However, I did not care about the treatment as all I wanted was my money back.
</blockquote>
Stefano claimed that the Mudzedze family had initially expressed satisfaction with the US$345 that he had but later changed the goalposts. He said:
<blockquote>
I paid US$345 as bride price. That is what had been communicated to me. However, when we went for the bride price paying ceremony, they demanded US$800, which I did not have.
They stated that the higher charge was because their daughter was a virgin. I was heartbroken when they refused to let me take her as my wife after I had married her.
</blockquote>
He said he tried to reason with the Mudzedze family, but they insisted that he was not a suitable husband for Chiedza.
Chiedza, who is from Nyatsuro Village, Honde Valley, said Stefano was previously married and had lied to her about it, adding that she felt betrayed.
Stefano’s in-laws were also not pleased by the fact that he showed up for the lobola ceremony dressed inappropriately in ripped jeans, a work-suit jacket, and Crocs which they considered a sign of disrespect and lack of seriousness.
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Man Gets Lobola Refund After In-laws Refuse To Release Their Virgin Daughter

A Mutasa couple was reportedly married for a few minutes before the bride’s parents broke off the union after finding out that the man was not a virgin, and was in fact, a divorcee.
The man, Prince Stefano (30) of Mandeya Village, told <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/marriage-lasts-a-few-minutes/">The Manica Post</a> that he paid a bride price of US$345 for 21-year-old Chiedza Mudzedze who is said to be a virgin. He said:
<blockquote>
I paid US$345 as the bride price. That is what had been communicated to me. However, when we went for the bride price-paying ceremony, they demanded US$800, which I did not have.
They said they would only give me my wife after paying the full amount, but these were only delaying tactics.
They did not want me to marry Chiedza because they had found out that I have a nine-year-old son.
</blockquote>
Stefano said he paid the bride price on 3 March this year but the Mudzedze family recently informed him that they would refund him his money. He said:
<blockquote>
Chiedza is a virgin, I understand, but her family is just bitter. Her bitter sister sent me voice notes saying I was a pauper and that as a family, they had agreed that I will not be able to take care of her sister.
</blockquote>
He said he has approached Chiedza’s family to get a reimbursement, but they seem reluctant to refund him.
Chiedza, who is from Nyatsuro Village, Honde Valley, told The Manica Post that she is worth more than US$345 as she is a virgin. She said:
<blockquote>
I am a virgin and where in this world have you heard of a virgin being married for that lousy amount? I am still young.
I am only 21 and will eventually find someone worthy of me, someone who has never been with another woman.
Prince wasted my time and lied to me that he was a virgin too. Had I not probed him, he would not have told me of his previous marriage.
I will not compete with another woman for him. Do you think his ex-wife will be happy if she hears that he married me?
We will give him his money but on our own terms. He should stop sending people here. You can also tell him that he is a loser.
</blockquote>
Chiedza’s sister, who refused to identify herself, said Prince disrespected her family for showing up for the lobola ceremony dressed in a pair of ripped Denim trousers, a work-suit jacket and some crocs slippers. She said:
<blockquote>
It was shameful for him to show up like that. What sort of dressing is that? We will not have it as a family.
It shows that he is very disrespectful. We will refund him when we feel like it.
As it is, we feel as if we deserve that money because they did not even bring any groceries, save for one chicken.
We prepared them our food, yet they had come with a car. They pretended to be well up, yet they are not.
</blockquote>
Prince’s aunt, Tsitsi Munyebvu Stefano said her family is planning to report the matter to the traditional leadership of the area so that they get a refund. She said:
<blockquote>
This is a family of crooks. They should have told us that they had decided otherwise before accepting Prince’s money.
I don’t know why Prince went for the lobola ceremony while donning a pair of ripped jeans and informal shoes.
What I know is that he is a good man. He did not know that he had a son until last year when his ex-wife told him.
Can that really be held against someone? I do not think so.
The families should find each other so that we can move forward. We love our daughter-in-law and I believe she also loves Prince.
</blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, virginity is highly valued as a sign of purity, chastity, and moral fortitude but in most cases focus is on the bride rather than the bridegroom.
It is believed that a virgin wife will be more faithful, loyal, and submissive to her husband.
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"Marriage" Ends After In-laws Demand Lobola Top Up

The Government has acceded to the call by the San community to allow them to hunt game meat for relish in line with their culture.
The San used to reside in the Hwange National Park area in the 1920s surviving on game meat before they were forcibly removed from the area by the colonial government.
Christopher Dube, also known as Tsholotsho San Chief Goledema, told the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local-news/article/200010657/san-community-to-get-game-meat-govt">Southern Eye</a> that the Government accepted their request. He said:
<blockquote>
We are grateful to the government. We have been granted game meat as per our request for a long time.
We used to hunt for game meat for cultural purposes, but due to the new set-up, we are no longer allowed to do so.
We will feast on it and most importantly, we want the soup which we mix with our herbs to treat our bodies which have become too weak.
We had been complaining that our population had become small, and the soup concoction is important in enhancing our performance at night.
This is one of the reasons why we want a lot of meat.
</blockquote>
Chief Goledema said they were allocated two elephants and two buffalos twice or thrice per year.
Tsholotsho Rural District Council chairperson Esau Siwela said the San community would also benefit from CAMPFIRE projects. He said:
<blockquote>
According to the quarter setting, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) are the ones who decide how many animals can be hunted down and in which area so they are the ones who are going to assist in hunting down the animals.
We realise that apart from getting meat, the community is going to get trophies from the mentioned animals which the council will assist in terms of marketing and the proceeds will be ploughed back to them for their economic development.
</blockquote>
CAMPFIRE (Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources) was designed to help rural communities living near protected areas to benefit from the sustainable use of wildlife and other resources within those areas.
Under CAMPFIRE, communities are given the right to manage and utilise the resources found within their communal lands.
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Govt Grants San Community Game Meat

Forty-one undocumented Zimbabweans were arrested in South Africa for illegal chrome mining.
In a statement, police spokesman Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspects will appear before the Mecklenburg Magistrate’s Court this Thursday. Said Ledwaba:
<blockquote>
The suspects were apprehended during a joint intelligence operation conducted by the members of the Provincial Illegal Mining Task Team, Provincial Organised Crime Unit together with the RR Undercover Security Company at Ga-Phasha village under Sefateng mine jurisdiction in Mecklenburg policing precinct at about 23:30.
Police received information about illegal mining activities taking place in the area and swiftly reacted. Upon arrival, police found the suspects busy mining a precious metal (chrome) at the mine without authorisation.
When the suspects saw police, they ran into the nearby bushes and others went inside the self-made tunnels to avoid being nabbed.
Police confiscated 12 generators and 10 jackhammers all valued at R170 000 as well as chrome ore worth R1 million from the suspects.
</blockquote>
Ledwaba said the suspects are all male and aged between 18 and 43. 41 are undocumented Zimbabweans, one is a Mozambican national and there is also a South African citizen.
Ledwaba vowed that South African police will stop at nothing in ensuring that illegal miners are arrested and prosecuted.
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41 Zimbabwean Border Jumpers Arrested In SA For Illegal Chrome Mining

Members of Parliament are pushing for the proposed Medical Services Amendment Bill to make provision for adolescents to access sexual reproductive health care services independent of their parents and guardians, reported <a href="https://cite.org.zw/mps-push-for-adolescents-access-to-sexual-health-service/">CITE</a>.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), adolescence is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood, from ages 10 to 19.
Lawmakers say some young people succumb to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) because they fear approaching their parents and asking them to accompany them to health facilities for treatment.
Health and Child Care Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chairperson, Dr. Ruth Labode, said the Bill should include a clause that allows adolescent girls to access contraceptives. She said:
<blockquote>
The issue of access to health services for adolescents has become like a broken record in which the Ministry of Health seems to be helpless. They cannot help it.
We know that our teenagers are indulging in drugs and drugs lead to you losing your capacity to control your body. This is where you hear vuzu parties, multiple partner sex.
I am saying we hear of vuzu parties where young people ages 13 to 14 are having multiple client sex, being infected and getting pregnant.
It is almost like we live in two worlds. The Ministry of Health and Child Care lives in some heaven of some kind and we live with these things every day.
We read them, they are in the press and yet we fail to do one thing, that is to handle Section 35 of the Public Health Act which restricts the child, a 15-year old, from going to get health services – yet we know because of the life they are leading, they end up with STIs and you expect a parent to take a child to the hospital and say my child has been infected with an STI, please attend to him.
</blockquote>
Dr. Labode said while they conducted public hearings on the Bill, adolescents demanded free medical care saying as children, they do not have money. She said:
<blockquote>
It is really sad. If you look at the numbers, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education said 10 000 pupils did not come back because of teenage pregnancies.
What are we waiting for? What exactly do you want? You want them to come and demonstrate at Kaguvi Building so that you see that the children are getting pregnant?
</blockquote>
MP from Matabeleland North under the Proportional Representation, Lwazi Sibanda, said young people get should be given contraceptives to prevent pregnancies otherwise they will end up going for backyard abortion. She said:
<blockquote>
There is no one who can say children should abort or that children should bear their own children.
A child should go to the hospital on her/his own to get help, be it she wants tablets to prevent pregnancy.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, what more the street kids, do you not see that these children now are getting pregnant because the Minister is saying children should not go on their own to the hospital?.
If we say children should not go to the hospital on their own –  what are we saying? Some of them are now going for backyard abortions and dying and for some of them, their wombs are getting damaged.
</blockquote>
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MPs Push For Adolescents’ Access To Sexual Health Services

Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson has said armed police assaulted the wife and daughter of Costa Machingauta, the opposition MDC Alliance Member of Parliament for Budiriro.
In a series of Twitter posts seen by Pindula News, Mahere said:
<blockquote>
⛔️ZANU PF abusing the Police Service have stormed the home of Hon Machingauta where an internal @CCCZimbabwe planning meeting was to take place as we lay out our program of action for 2023. ZRP lorries with armed police &amp; teargas are camped at Hon Machingauta’s home.
🟡ZANU PF will say the tear-gassing &amp; violence taking place at Hon Machingauta’s home as we speak is “stage-managed.”
Murewa last week. Now this?
Varikukwata!
We need new leaders.🇿🇼
</blockquote>
In an update, Mahere said the Chibaya, Machingauta and others were held at Budiriro 2 Police Station. She added:
<blockquote>
We’ve deployed our rapid response team to secure their protection. Armed @PoliceZimbabwe are camped with lorries at the Machingauta home. His wife &amp; daughter were badly beaten.
Why are you beating up his wife and daughter?
This is a special level of cruel.
We need new leaders.🇿🇼
</blockquote>
The CCC party says charges against the opposition leaders are not yet clear adding that they were arrested “for attending an internal meeting this morning.”
CCC, which is led by Nelson Chamisa, a former Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services says it condemns the continued banning of its “internal meetings and rallies by the regime in Harare.
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"Armed Police Have Beaten Up The Wife And Daughter Of Budiriro MP" - Mahere

The City of Johannesburg Emergency Services Management (EMS) Aquatic Unit recovered three bodies in the afternoon of 31 December following a drowning incident at Snake Park, in Soweto.
The three drowned during a baptism service in a stream near the Mayibuye Bridge on Saturday, <a href="https://ewn.co.za/2022/12/31/three-bodies-recovered-in-soweto-after-yet-another-baptism-drowning">Eyewitness News</a> reported citing EMS.
This is the second baptism service that has cost churchgoers their lives in December 2022.
Local people believe the three men were drowned by a water dragon (inkanyamba).
According to an eyewitness who spoke to Eyewitness News, the men were sangoma initiates who had come to the stream to cleanse themselves. Watch the video below for more:
<div>
<video controls="controls" height="360" preload="metadata" width="640"><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dragon-case-drown.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dragon-case-drown.mp4</a></video></div>
The witness added that the deceased men came on a bad day and inkanyamba was angry and drowned all of them.
The stream is said to be a pilgrimage for people who want prayers.
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