Drama as residents bash 82-year-old woman up

There was drama in Harare, Epworth, on Thursday when an 82-year-old granny was thoroughly bashed by residents after a self styled prophet accused her of practising witchcraft.
The accusations came when Nyaradzo Mapindu, a visitor in the suburb, stripped naked early Thursday morning and went into a trance where she spoke in tongues. She correctly 'guessed' the relish that part of the crowd that had mobbed her had eaten the previous night!
Nyaradzo was then taken to a self-styled prophet Madzibaba Jacob of Johane Masowe Yenguwo Tsvuku who prayed for her promising to expose the witch. According to witnesses, this is when Gogo Elizabeth Kambonga joined the mob and she suggested that they use oil to exorcise the evil spirits and Madzibaba Jacob immediately pointed at her as the witch.
"Gogo Kambonga joined the crowd and Madzibaba Jacob accused her of being a witch behind Nyaradzo's trance," narrated a witness.
The intention was diverted to the old lady who naturally tried to flee and the crowd bayed for her blood. She received a thorough beating from some hooligan elements that made up the crowd.
"Gogo was beaten up after she suggested the use of oil to cleanse Nyaradzo. People always suspect Gogo of witchcraft and they took advantage of this incident," added the witness.
Police had to quell the voilence and Madzibaba Jacob, Gogo Kambonga and Nyaradzo were taken to Dombo police station where statements were recorded.
Gogo Kambonga said she was coming from prayers early in the morning and she said she was NOT a witch.
"I was coming from a prayer session before these people pounced on me. I was wrapped up in this white robe holding a hoe before prophet asked me to answer what was being said by Nyaradzo anga achiotaura nendimi (who was speaking in tongues). She never said anything linked to my totem or my history and to be honest with you I am hurt because I am a follower of Johane Masowe apostolic sect. I used to be a traditional healer long back when I was in the village in Kotwa, Mudzi," lamented Gogo Kambonga (82).
She added: "I wanted to collect mafuta emberere kuti apfungaidze shavi riende and they pounced on me accusing me of witchcraft. Is it a sin to be an old woman? I'm so hurt and I want them arrested."
Nyaradzo, who was now in her normal state, said she had come from Hwedza visiting her sister who took her for prayers at Madzibaba Jacob.
"My sister took me to Madzibaba Jacob where he gave me anointing oil before he promised me that the evil spirit causing my headache would come out. I was surprised to see myself surrounded by a big crowd before we were taken to the police station," said Nyaradzo who was ignorant of the fact that she stripped naked and spoke in tongues.
Madzibaba Jacob denied accusing Gogo Kambonga of being a witch. He said the old lady was in fact referred to him by a fellow prophet but he had refused to prophesy her for reasons best known to himself.
"A certain prophet wearing a yellow garment brought Gogo Kambonga accompanied by a police officer asking me to prophesy and confirm if she was a witch and I refused to do that. As for Nyaradzo, she used some of my holy waters and her sister called me after she was possessed in the middle of the night," he said.