News / National
Zimbabwean man uses live snake to scare and rape woman
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A 25-year-old man from Chitungwiza has been arrested for allegedly raping a 23-year-old woman multiple times while threatening her with a live snake, a lizard, and alleged ritualistic paraphernalia, police have confirmed.
The suspect, identified as Justice Tatenda Charamba of Zengeza, is accused of sexually abusing the woman since 2023 after luring her into his house under the pretense of a romantic relationship and invoking fear through threats of spiritual misfortune.
In a chilling case that has shocked the community, police say Charamba used a red cloth inscribed with both their names and containing a used condom from their first encounter to psychologically manipulate and control the woman. He allegedly told her that the cloth had been smeared with "juju" by a sangoma (traditional healer) and warned that any attempt to marry another man would result in the collapse of her marriage and misfortune.
As part of the alleged manipulation, Charamba persuaded the woman to participate in what he described as a spiritual cleansing ritual at Leisure Centre Dam near Manyame River on March 19, 2025. He carried a bottle containing the used condom, a snake, a bird feather, and the red cloth, and after throwing the bottle into the water, claimed to have delivered her from a curse.
However, just two days later, on March 21, Charamba returned to the woman's home and claimed that a sangoma had informed him the ritual had been performed incorrectly - and that she, not him, should have thrown the bottle into the dam. To rectify the mistake, he reportedly told the woman she had to have sex with him again or engage in a sexual act with a lizard he had brought in a container.
Fearing for her life and that of her family, the woman chose the lizard. Charamba left it with her before returning the next day and coercing her into sex once again. He allegedly continued abusing her on several occasions in different locations, including in a bush, while collecting and burning her undergarments and used condoms as part of the so-called rituals.
The woman eventually resisted further abuse, particularly after being told she had to engage in sex from June 10 to June 30, 2025, to complete another cleansing process. When she refused, Charamba allegedly began threatening her and her mother with death, prompting her to report the matter to the police.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the arrest.
"Police arrested a man in connection with rape and possession of a live snake he used to threaten the complainant. Investigations are in progress and he is expected to appear in court soon," said Insp Chakanza.
"The victim has since been taken to Chitungwiza Central Hospital for medical examination."
The disturbing case has raised serious concerns about the exploitation of traditional beliefs to commit abuse and the vulnerability of women to ritual-based coercion. Police urged the public to report any cases of abuse and assured the community that justice would be pursued.
The suspect, identified as Justice Tatenda Charamba of Zengeza, is accused of sexually abusing the woman since 2023 after luring her into his house under the pretense of a romantic relationship and invoking fear through threats of spiritual misfortune.
In a chilling case that has shocked the community, police say Charamba used a red cloth inscribed with both their names and containing a used condom from their first encounter to psychologically manipulate and control the woman. He allegedly told her that the cloth had been smeared with "juju" by a sangoma (traditional healer) and warned that any attempt to marry another man would result in the collapse of her marriage and misfortune.
As part of the alleged manipulation, Charamba persuaded the woman to participate in what he described as a spiritual cleansing ritual at Leisure Centre Dam near Manyame River on March 19, 2025. He carried a bottle containing the used condom, a snake, a bird feather, and the red cloth, and after throwing the bottle into the water, claimed to have delivered her from a curse.
However, just two days later, on March 21, Charamba returned to the woman's home and claimed that a sangoma had informed him the ritual had been performed incorrectly - and that she, not him, should have thrown the bottle into the dam. To rectify the mistake, he reportedly told the woman she had to have sex with him again or engage in a sexual act with a lizard he had brought in a container.
The woman eventually resisted further abuse, particularly after being told she had to engage in sex from June 10 to June 30, 2025, to complete another cleansing process. When she refused, Charamba allegedly began threatening her and her mother with death, prompting her to report the matter to the police.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the arrest.
"Police arrested a man in connection with rape and possession of a live snake he used to threaten the complainant. Investigations are in progress and he is expected to appear in court soon," said Insp Chakanza.
"The victim has since been taken to Chitungwiza Central Hospital for medical examination."
The disturbing case has raised serious concerns about the exploitation of traditional beliefs to commit abuse and the vulnerability of women to ritual-based coercion. Police urged the public to report any cases of abuse and assured the community that justice would be pursued.
Source - The Herald
