Elderly woman attacks sangoma for giving rival powerful lightning juju

In an incident that brings back memories of the late popular Chitungwiza traditional healer, Sekuru Shumba, who made headlines after being accused of pressing PLAY instead of SEND while 'creating' lightning, another man-made lightning incident has taken centre stage in Bulawayo.

There was turmoil at a house in Iminyela in Bulawayo after an elderly woman attacked a sangoma for reportedly giving her rival powerful juju for making lightning.

The woman at the centre of the storm, Gladys Siziba, once courted controversy after she was dragged before the courts for beating up her rival over a man said to be a 'wizard'. Siziba and her rival Martha Ngwenya are alleged self proclaimed witches.

The traditional healer who was attacked by the woman is the same who reportedly abandoned his tools of trade sometime in May and fled from a 'witch' after she charged towards him. (Both incidents are referenced at the bottom of this article).

Sources said since earlier debacle Siziba and Ngwenya have been making frantic efforts to outwit each other. The situation took a nasty turn on Thursday last week.

IT is reported that on the day, Siziba reportedly heard that Ngwenya had been spotted at the house of the traditional healer identified as Banda. She is said to have confronted her rival and Ngwenya said she had gone to take muti for making lightning. Supposedly angered by that, the woman headed to the sangoma's house and asked him why he was helping out her rival.

Before the incident, Siziba who is understood to be a girlfriend to the traditional healer, had warned him against conducting any business with Ngwenya. It seems the traditional healer disregarded the warning and did what he felt was right. An altercation reportedly ensued between Banda and Siziba which resulted in the self-confessed witch punching the sangoma.

Perhaps angered by Siziba's actions, Banda reportedly told the woman that he had given Ngwenya powerful concoction for making man-made lightning. The revelation enraged her and she once more bashed the man before he forcibly chucked her out. Upon being thrown out, Siziba went back to her rival's house and Ngwenya confirmed that she had been given the lightning making muti, which happens to be Chitungwiza's most dreaded charm that allegedly destroyed 3 houses and killed 5 people including the sangoma.

The source said Siziba and Banda were counselled by police community relations officers over the matter after the later approached them for assistance.

"They are back together and I guess it is because of the counselling they got. I saw them doing some shopping at the supermarket," said the source.

When contacted for comment, Siziba said she had forgiven Banda for aiding her rival.

"We spoke about the issue like grown up people and all is fine now," she said.