'It's my turn to kill a family member for the witch feast'

A woman from Hurungwe District says she is desperate for help after allegedly being drawn into witchcraft practices she now claims are tormenting her and threatening her family.

The woman, who asked to be identified as Mai Rumbi to protect her identity, said her troubles began in childhood following the death of her mother. She was raised by her grandmother and grew up without clear knowledge of her paternal lineage.

Mai Rumbi claims that as she grew older, she began experiencing disturbing dreams in which she found herself at graveyards in the company of unknown women, cutting and sharing human flesh. She said the dreams started when she was still young and continued into adulthood.

According to her, she was later told by relatives that she had been initiated into witchcraft without her knowledge by a close female family member. She alleges that she underwent rituals symbolising entry into the practice and now believes she is regarded as a witch within that circle.

She further claims that those she describes as fellow witches are pressuring her to kill a close relative so they can "share the flesh," something she says she strongly rejects. "I no longer want this. It is tormenting me," she said, adding that the experiences leave her physically unwell, with stomach pains and vomiting after such dreams.

Mai Rumbi also claims to hear voices predicting deaths within her community, saying some of the incidents she dreams about later occur. She described episodes where she wakes up at midnight and cannot sleep until early morning, insisting that she feels spiritually disturbed.

The woman said her situation is known to her husband and relatives, and that members of her community now avoid her out of fear. She is currently seeking spiritual intervention, saying she wants to be freed from what she believes is a spiritual burden.

In response to such claims, George Kandiyero, who leads the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA), said cases involving alleged witchcraft vary in nature and often require careful handling. He suggested that individuals reporting such experiences should seek appropriate spiritual or traditional guidance.

Authorities have not commented on the matter, and there is no independent evidence supporting the woman's claims. Community leaders have urged residents to avoid panic and to resolve disputes peacefully while encouraging those facing distress to seek counselling or recognised support services.