Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
NOTORIOUS Nyanga traditional healer, Sithole, recently stunned a local community court by openly confessing that he is a devil worshipper.
He also confessed acquiring goblins through dark rituals in Ghana.
The chilling admission came out during a hearing where the Mandisodza family accused one of their own, Vitalis Mandisodza of possessing a goblin acquired from Sithole causing mysterious deaths among them.
The case was brought before Chief Saunyama’s community court by the Mandisodza family, represented by Hardlife Mandisodza.
He alleged that the goblin, allegedly acquired by Vitalis Mandisodza years ago to help locate his lost cattle, had turned on them after he failed to pay Sithole for his services.
Hardlife revealed that the deaths of over 10 family members were attributed to the goblin’s wrath by other traditional healers they consulted before confronting Sithole.
“Family members have been dying in their numbers over the years. We have buried more than 15 people within a short space of time, a reason we decided to consult traditional healers.
“We were told that Sithole unleashed a reign of terror on our family because of my uncle, Vitalis’ stubbornness. That is why we have dragged both my uncle and his traditional healer here today, so that they find common ground and settle this matter,” said Hardlife.
Sithole who was present at the hearing, confirmed the allegations and demanded compensation.
“I want 10 herd of cattle as payment for my goblin which he discarded after it served its purpose. If this is not done, my goblins will continue inflicting pain on their family. I do not tolerate such betrayal. I am satanic. I use powers that I obtained from Ghana. No one uses my goblins without fulfilling their obligations.
“My satanic goblins only obey me, and I am the only one who knows how to tame them as instructed in Ghana when I acquired them. Someone cannot borrow these goblins and discard them without paying me. That is what Vitalis did,” charged Sithole.
Vitalis, however, refuted the allegations, dismissing them as fabricated and nonsensical.
“I never lost any cattle, and never acquired a goblin. During the time he claims this happened, I was employed in the city and nowhere near Nyanga. He is either mistaking me for someone else or someone used my name,” he argued.
Vitalis pointed out at inconsistencies in Sithole’s claims, saying, “At first, he said I acquired the goblin to be a successful potato farmer. Now he is saying it was meant to locate lost cattle. I am not a potato farmer nor had missing cattle. This is all an elaborate lie, and anyone who is not picking the inconsistencies in Sithole’s testimony needs help.”
Despite Vitalis’ protests, Sithole remained steadfast on his claims, warning that Vitalis and his immediate family would face dire consequences if the debt remained unpaid.
“I have forgiven the rest of the Mandisodza family, but Vitalis must pay. My goblins will target him directly until justice is served. My wrath is on him. My snakes will torment him until he produces my goblin which he discarded. He will know no peace,” he declared.
Chief Saunyama ruled in Sithole’s favour, ordering his messengers to collect 10 herd of cattle from Vitalis to settle the debt.
“This matter must be resolved to bring peace to the family. If Sithole claims he is owed, then payment must be made to prevent further trouble. We do not want the Mandisodza family members to perish,” ruled Chief Saunyama.
He also ordered Sithole to turn his wrath on Vitalis.
The ruling, however, was met with strong disapproval from Vitalis, who vowed to appeal to a higher court.
“This is an unjust ruling based on baseless accusations. I will take this matter to a higher court. Besides, this matter is already before the magistrates’ court, but if you confiscate my cattle, I will make it a High Court matter.
“These deaths that they claim are mysterious are due to natural causes, not goblins. My mother died of asthma, but Sithole insists his goblins killed her. This must stop, it is not fair at all,” protested Vitalis.
