News / Regional
Village head in lightning scare
17 Jan 2016 at 09:05hrs | Views
DEFIANT villagers from Nswazi in Gwanda who are setting up structures in grazing pastures have reportedly threatened to strike the village head who is blocking their move with lightning.
The village head, Headman Mpofu has since fled to seek refuge in Matobo where he is seeking the help of traditional healers after a tree at his homestead was struck by a bolt of lightning last week.
Some villagers who spoke to Sunday News said scores of villagers who are building homesteads in areas reserved for grazing have turned to be a menace as they were using witchcraft threats to do what they want. The development, villagers say, has resulted in the shortage of grazing land.
One of the villagers, Mr Ndumiso Moyo said villagers were unsettled as they were afraid of confronting their defiant counterparts fearing the threats.
"People are living in fear because of threats from other villagers. The village head should be counting his last days on earth because he was told that he will die any time soon. Whenever lightning strikes, we constantly check whether their threats have not been fulfilled," said Mr Moyo.
Village head Mpofu said he has endured enough pain as he has been fighting for the preservation of grazing land.
He said after he was threatened with lighting, he sought refuge in Matobo and will only return to his village armed to protect his family from anything that might arise.
"There are people who are not abiding by the law of the land. As in many areas, there are places which are reserved for grazing but there are people in my village who are busy building their homesteads in such areas (grazing land). When I tried to tell people to vacate the place, they threatened to strike me with lightning. Few days down the line, a tree near my homestead was struck by lightning. After such an incident, I had to flee my homestead because that was a danger warning sign and I will only return when I am confident that my life is safe and secure," said Mpofu.
Chief Masuku who has jurisdiction over the area confirmed the development. He said the matter was discussed and the accused villagers apologised and withdrew their words.
The village head, Headman Mpofu has since fled to seek refuge in Matobo where he is seeking the help of traditional healers after a tree at his homestead was struck by a bolt of lightning last week.
Some villagers who spoke to Sunday News said scores of villagers who are building homesteads in areas reserved for grazing have turned to be a menace as they were using witchcraft threats to do what they want. The development, villagers say, has resulted in the shortage of grazing land.
One of the villagers, Mr Ndumiso Moyo said villagers were unsettled as they were afraid of confronting their defiant counterparts fearing the threats.
"People are living in fear because of threats from other villagers. The village head should be counting his last days on earth because he was told that he will die any time soon. Whenever lightning strikes, we constantly check whether their threats have not been fulfilled," said Mr Moyo.
Village head Mpofu said he has endured enough pain as he has been fighting for the preservation of grazing land.
He said after he was threatened with lighting, he sought refuge in Matobo and will only return to his village armed to protect his family from anything that might arise.
"There are people who are not abiding by the law of the land. As in many areas, there are places which are reserved for grazing but there are people in my village who are busy building their homesteads in such areas (grazing land). When I tried to tell people to vacate the place, they threatened to strike me with lightning. Few days down the line, a tree near my homestead was struck by lightning. After such an incident, I had to flee my homestead because that was a danger warning sign and I will only return when I am confident that my life is safe and secure," said Mpofu.
Chief Masuku who has jurisdiction over the area confirmed the development. He said the matter was discussed and the accused villagers apologised and withdrew their words.
Source - sundanews
