Chief orders sangoma to reverse 'mistaken curse'

A traditional court in Manicaland has ordered a Mozambican healer to reverse an alleged curse placed on a young man after a woman admitted she may have targeted the wrong person over a missing gold mill.

Chief Mutasa issued the directive after a dramatic confession by Stella Mwakasikeni, who told the court she had sought spiritual intervention in retaliation for her stolen property - only to later realise the suspected culprit may have been wrongly identified.

The मामला centres on Blessing Kembo, whose mother, Barbra Kembo of Toronto, accused Mwakasikeni of causing her son's prolonged illness through traditional means.

Appearing before the chief's court, Mwakasikeni said she had travelled to Mozambique, where a traditional healer claimed to identify the thief using a mirror.

"I saw a silhouette that resembled Blessing, though I did not see his face. The healer mentioned his name, and that is when I believed he was responsible," she said.

Acting on that belief, she allowed the healer to proceed with what she described as a "revenge plan," later acknowledging that something harmful may have been done.

"The healer is now in Dangamvura and is the only one who can reverse what was done," Mwakasikeni told the court.

The confession angered Blessing's family, who said the young man had endured months of unexplained illness following the alleged incident.

Barbra told the court her son initially suffered severe abdominal pain and was diagnosed with appendix complications. He underwent surgery and appeared to recover, but soon developed further complications that required additional treatment at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.

While the family searched for medical answers, they were informed that Mwakasikeni had allegedly admitted in private to targeting Blessing because she believed he had stolen her gold mill.

Blessing, however, has consistently denied the accusation.

"I do not even drive and I have no licence. I never stole anything," he told the court. "If I was guilty, I would have confessed. What I have gone through is painful."

Chief Mutasa criticised the use of spiritual retaliation without clear evidence, warning that such actions can harm innocent people.

"You admitted that action was taken before the truth was established. People must not rush to punish suspects through spiritual means," he said.

In a bid to resolve the matter, the chief ordered both families to travel together to Dangamvura to meet the healer and reverse any alleged harm.

"If something was done, let it be undone. After that, this court will hear what remains of the matter," he ruled.

The case highlights the tensions between traditional beliefs and modern justice systems, as well as the risks of acting on suspicion rather than verified evidence.