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Mashudu Mambo
WITCHCRAFT has been around in since time immemorial and has been blamed for inexplicable deaths and occurrences for centuries, often attributed to the practice of the dark arts.
In African culture, there is a strong belief that lightning can be “sent supernaturally” by sinister individuals to strike a targeted individual or homestead.
A recurring theme suggests that some people actually use lightning to curb infidelity.
Mess with their partners and a bolt from the blue will strike you dead.
Others apparently use lightning out of spite to fix rivals.
Recently, a man from Bulawayo’s high-density suburb of Cowdray Park Peter Gwaza (42) and his girlfriend Priority Dube (30) were struck by lightning while taking a romantic stroll.
Gwaza died while his girlfriend sustained extreme burns.
In November 2022, a family from Mbembesi resettlement in Lupane lost a herd of 16 cattle after they were all struck by lightning. There was also a report where three people from Lupane died in November of the same year after being struck by lightning in two separate incidents.
These cases are just a few incidents that have been reported over the past three months that have set superstitious tongues on overdrive. Two main camps exist on the issue; one that believes the lightning strikes were a result of witchcraft while others maintain they are mere natural disasters.
According to a traditionalist, Joshphat Moyo known as Khulu Ndumba in Cowdray Park, the issues of people using lighting to strike their enemies exists.
“There are people with the knowledge of making lightning bolts and in most cases, it is used by people who will be fighting their enemies or those who are jealous of the success of a relative or neighbour.
“There are also instances where some traditionalists use lightning to fight their competitors who either are more popular than them or who they envy,” said Khulu Ndumba.
Khulu Ndumba added that lightning can also be used as protection where one uses it to take revenge on enemies.
“Some people use lightning as their shield in cases where a family or an individual has been wronged or has lost a lot in the hands of witches and wizards, they use lightning as a form of defence,” said Khulu Ndumba.
Zimbabwe Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA) president George Kandiero said the practice of lightning is associated with witchcraft and sorcery.
“The use of lightning is a very ancient practice that has been known to be used in sorcery and witchcraft to protect fields, homes and partners,” said Kandiero.
Kandiero said Zinatha is against this practice as the traditionalists’ association’s goal is the protection of human life.
“We are totally against this old practice and we are against the use of charms like lunyoka and lightning. Human life is precious to us and our goal is to ensure its preservation.
“In Zinatha, there is a code of conduct and a Parliamentary Act that we follow so all our members and those who are planning to join are advised on the code of conduct because our aim is not to cause harm to society but to preserve it,” said Kandiero.
Reverend Nhlanganiso Moyo of the Presbyterian Church condemned the practice and said that it is unacceptable as it tampers with human life.
“It is purely witchcraft in its strictest sense and not good for anyone even those that practice it, am sure they are not proud of it. It is generally bad and not acceptable in any sphere of life, religion or culture because it is not done openly or in the knowledge or consent of the affected party,” said Reverend Moyo.
Reverend Moyo added that there was a need to use other methods like counselling other than using lightning to ensure that partners stop infidelity.
“I believe that in issues that affect relationships, there are protocols and channels that are to be followed. Uncles and aunties are used as counsellors in qualms and suspicion in any relationship. I encourage such people in that predicament to seek help also from professionals.
“If counselling fails, people must not harm one another by resorting to such malicious ways but rather find time to be apart and agree that their relationship is not working somehow and decide what’s ideal for them not the community,” said Reverend Moyo.
According to Pindula, the Witchcraft Suppression Act of Zimbabwe states that it is an offence for those who claim to have a knowledge of witchcraft or of the use of charms to teach others. It is an offence to advise someone how to bewitch any person or animal or to supply someone with what the Act calls pretended means of witchcraft.
Bongani Ndlovu, a science student dismissed the issue as simply religious hogwash meant to control the minds of the superstitious.
“If someone had such power, would they not harness it to become the world’s superpower. Imagine having the means to harness this terrifyingly powerful force of nature without the extensive capital outlay needed to manufacture, say nuclear weapons and being able to pinpoint who or where it should strike. Everyone would be breaking down your door with top dollar to get that kind of technology,” said Ndlovu.
He said there are simple scientific laws governing how lightning strikes, which makes disaster preventable.
Online Reporter
