Witchcraft allegations over stolen panties

A BULAWAYO woman's hand allegedly swelled up after her husband's lover who is a vendor  "bewitched" her for stealing her panties, a court heard last week.

Nyengeterai Mashungu a money changer operating near Tredgold Buildings told magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure that Siphosisile Mpala, a vendor, confessed to bewitching her.

Mpala dragged Mashungu to court seeking a protection order against her.

She said Mashungu sometimes visits her home and insults her, accusing her of dating her husband.

Mashungu who is accused of threatening to stab Mpala several times told the court that Mpala confessed that she went to an inyanga to "fix" her hand after accusing her of stealing her panties.

"She drags me here saying that I interfere with her life yet she is the one who has always been coming to my place. She is a married woman and her husband is in South Africa and as we speak, I told her husband what's taking place. If she is granted the peace order I just don't want to see her in my house. I don't want her to call my husband or send messages. I just don't want anything to do with her," said Mashungu.

Mpala said she was seeking a protection order because Mashungu was threatening to stab her.

Mpala said Mashungu's husband who was not named in court, was employed as an office orderly at Tredgold Building.

Mashavakure granted Mpala the peace order.