Sabhuka hospitalised after being hit by an 'angry goblin' during exorcism

An exorcism ritual conducted by two Tsikamutandas (witch hunters) in Bhalagwe village in Kezi left the village  head hospitalised after being stoned by an 'angry goblin'.

The village head, Kenneth Mhlophe, is admitted at Maphisa District Hospital after sustaining head injuries following the attack by goblins, witnesses said.

Villagers from the area on Thursday said Mhlophe was part of a congregation that had gathered at one Teroplane's homestead in Zamanyoni area under Chief Fuyana sometime last week, to exorcise the homestead of alleged goblins.

Teroplane is said to be a relative to Mhlophe.

Villagers said the tsikamutandas came from Tsholotsho in Matabeleland North after being invited by troubled family members.

The exorcism ceremony started at 8PM, but villagers said things came to the boil at midnight when the tsikamutandas caught one of the goblins, which angered two others that came from a nearby wooded area.

Villagers said the two goblins emerged from the bush and threatened to kill someone.

"The goblins started pelting people with stones forcing them to scurry for cover in one of the huts in the homestead. In the process, Mhlophe was hit with a large stone in the head and he bled profusely," said a villager, who attended the ritual.

"The tsikamutandas managed to get hold of one of the goblins. They stabbed it with a knife, which had a red cloth tied to it, and then made a big fire and burnt the creature."

Three other people were also injured in the attack.

Villagers said they were living in fear of attack by the strange creatures. Gospel of Christ Ministries pastor, Whiteman Moyo, who visited Mhlophe in hospital early this week, said: "I was shocked to learn that someone had been injured after being attacked by goblins.

"At first I didn't believe it. I thought that maybe people were joking, but I managed to speak to him. It was the first time in my life that I have seen a man injured and admitted to hospital after an attack by goblins."

Moyo said he prayed for Mhlophe, "and assured him that God was in control".  B-Metro visited Mhlophe in hospital and found him in pain and could not interview him.

Villagers said the problem of goblins had been a thorny issue for some time, with claims that strange creatures had attacked school children from Tshehondo Primary.

Matabeleland South police acknowledged the incident but declined to comment.