Family feud over village leadership blamed for deaths

A bitter dispute within the Mutinhima family has allegedly claimed the lives of two village heads, sparking fears of supernatural forces and deepening divisions in the community.

The feud, centred on accusations of witchcraft, goblins, and a practice locally known as mubobobo (spiritual sex), has pitted siblings against each other, leaving the wider community in turmoil.

Testimonies before Chief Mutasa's community court revealed tensions escalated after the late acting village head, Custon Mutinhima, fell ill and died. His widow, Mutsa Chikuni, claimed her husband had been bewitched, allegedly by his elder brother, Aaron Mutinhima.

Chikuni said prophets and traditional healers consulted by the family suggested Custon's death resulted from spiritual attacks. She claimed the family had hidden conflicts that were now costing lives.

Aaron Mutinhima, however, denied the allegations, insisting he had only tried to assist his brother out of love and had no involvement in any supernatural activities. He added that accusations of possessing goblins and mubobobo were false and that he had suffered humiliation and isolation from his own family.

Another sibling, Edson Mutinhima, accused Aaron of possessing mubobobo charms that had been removed by a traditional healer, further inflaming the dispute.

Chief Mutasa urged the family to set aside differences and complete a cleansing process to restore peace. "Unresolved spiritual and familial conflicts could continue to destabilise the community. People must work together as one family to prevent further deaths," he said.

The feud has left the village without a head, highlighting how leadership disputes, suspicion, and fear can threaten community stability.