Police urged to arrest tsikamtandaz

THE Traditional Medical Practitioners Council has called for the police to arrest all tsikamutandas (self-proclaimed healers) operating in various parts of the country as they are fleecing villagers of their livestock.

TMPC registrar, Mrs Tariro Charakupa-Chingono, on Monday said the practice of tsikamutandas was illegal and traditional leaders, police and district administrators had no mandate to issue these "fraudsters" with clearance letters to practise in any area.

"The practice of tsikamutandas is illegal and nobody should be coerced into taking part. All tsikamutandas' activities are day light extortion and stock theft, which need to be exposed.

"The public needs to be made aware of their rights to refuse to partake in the cleansing ceremonies. And most traditional leaders have been informed that by forcing people to participate, they are robbing them of their rights and breaking the law as well."

Police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri yesterday said it was a crime for anyone to dispossess people of property in partnership with tsikamutandas.

"This is a man-made concept designed to dispossess people of the valuable property without consensus. This is an offence and police are there to enforce the law on all the offenders. On these cases, we will look at robbery, theft or violence when they use force on a person.

"Members of the communities and tsikamutandas have no right to conduct such activities. Those who feel their rights are being infringed upon have the right to report to the police," Supt Phiri said.

A self-proclaimed healer calling himself Sekuru Gava is currently operating in Chivi district in Masvingo at the behest of a traditional leader who is telling village heads under his jurisdiction to force all people to attend the cleansing ceremonies.

Gava, who is based at a luxury lodge in Zvishavane and accompanied by several young men, is demanding payment in the form of mainly livestock.

Last week he collected 10 cattle as well as some goats from a village in the district after villagers had been coerced to attend the rituals by the village head.

Before handing over their livestock, the villagers were forced to sign statements that they surrendered their beasts at their own volition.

Villagers who refused to pay and have their homes "cleansed" were threatened by Gava and were accused of bewitching some members of the society.

A villager who requested anonymity explained the psychological methods used to get all villagers to agree to pay the bogus healer.

"First of all he demanded a cow. I said I did not have one, then he said he wanted a goat. I said I did not have that either as I am very poor. He then told me that if he left the village without removing the goblin in my homestead I would suffer from an illness that he did not disclose.

"I was also afraid that my fellow villagers would suspect me of being evil and not wanting to get rid of my witchcraft. And we were also told that the headman would chase me away.

"Although I signed the paper to say that I made a willing payment, the truth is that we are being blackmailed and we are appealing to the authorities to stop this crime immediately."

Mrs Charakupa-Chingono said that the signed statements were invalid as Gava was operating illegally.

She said that traditional healers were required by law to practise at their given address of operation.

According to complaints received by the TMPC, there are various groups of tsikamutandas operating all over the rural areas countrywide.

There are reports of a group of "prophets" also operating from Bhora in Goromonzi district that is targeting women.

Seke, Zhombe, Silobela and Zvishavane are also among other areas targeted by the gangs.

Traditional leaders are also being implicated.

However, the president of the Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs, Chief Fortune Charumbira, yesterday lashed out at tsikamutandas and said the whole concept was a farce and they should be prosecuted.

"They do things basing on allegations and there is no proof whatsoever on what they say. Everything is based on performances that are not clear.

"They are criminals meant to take away property from people whose mysterious activities are meant to confuse people.

"Chiefs must therefore not encourage or entertain them given that they offer their bogus services. Chiefs have the right to chase them out of their areas," he said.

After receiving complaints from the public, the TMPC intervened in the case of a Zvishavane court officer who was turning away cases involving a tsikamutanda and telling the complainants that there had been no crime committed as they had willingly handed over their livestock.

The officer was subsequently relieved of his duties in the town.

Almost invariably all tsikamutandas are young males who hail from urban centres. There are no reports of tsikamutandas operating in urban areas.