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Sangoma fined over venomous snakes
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A 22-year-old traditional healer from Uzumba has been fined US$150 after he was found in unlawful possession of two highly venomous snakes, which he told the court were used during traditional healing rituals.
Gift Kanodeweta appeared before Mutare magistrate Honest Musiiwa facing charges of contravening Section 5(1)(b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act [Chapter 20:14] for unlawfully removing and possessing protected wildlife.
The complainant was Paradzayi Clever of Federation, Chikanga, Mutare.
According to court papers, Kanodeweta first met the complainant in 2024 after offering traditional healing services for US$60.
The complainant later became dissatisfied with the services, alleging that he had been short-changed.
The court heard that on June 26, 2026, Kanodeweta visited the complainant at his residence in Federation, Chikanga, carrying a black satchel.
The complainant reportedly accompanied Kanodeweta to his shrine but, suspecting that he was using snakes to deceive clients seeking spiritual assistance, discreetly alerted officers from ZRP Chikanga.
Police attended the scene and searched Kanodeweta and his satchel, recovering two live snakes—a puff adder measuring approximately one metre and a cobra measuring about 1.2 metres.
Officials from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) were called to the scene and took custody of the reptiles, which were produced as exhibits.
An ecological assessment presented to the court stated that the unlawful possession of the two venomous snakes posed a significant danger to members of the public.
The report further noted that removing protected wildlife from its natural habitat threatens biodiversity, disrupts ecological systems, undermines conservation efforts and weakens enforcement of wildlife protection laws.
In mitigation, Kanodeweta pleaded for leniency, telling the court that he was a traditional healer who used the snakes during traditional rituals.
He said some of his clients included artisanal miners who sought spiritual assistance to improve their mining fortunes.
Magistrate Musiiwa fined Kanodeweta US$150 or, in default of payment, three months' imprisonment.
The court also ordered that the two snakes be forfeited to ZimParks for safekeeping.
The State was represented by prosecutor Brighton Garikai Chiromo.
Gift Kanodeweta appeared before Mutare magistrate Honest Musiiwa facing charges of contravening Section 5(1)(b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act [Chapter 20:14] for unlawfully removing and possessing protected wildlife.
The complainant was Paradzayi Clever of Federation, Chikanga, Mutare.
According to court papers, Kanodeweta first met the complainant in 2024 after offering traditional healing services for US$60.
The complainant later became dissatisfied with the services, alleging that he had been short-changed.
The court heard that on June 26, 2026, Kanodeweta visited the complainant at his residence in Federation, Chikanga, carrying a black satchel.
The complainant reportedly accompanied Kanodeweta to his shrine but, suspecting that he was using snakes to deceive clients seeking spiritual assistance, discreetly alerted officers from ZRP Chikanga.
Police attended the scene and searched Kanodeweta and his satchel, recovering two live snakes—a puff adder measuring approximately one metre and a cobra measuring about 1.2 metres.
Officials from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) were called to the scene and took custody of the reptiles, which were produced as exhibits.
An ecological assessment presented to the court stated that the unlawful possession of the two venomous snakes posed a significant danger to members of the public.
The report further noted that removing protected wildlife from its natural habitat threatens biodiversity, disrupts ecological systems, undermines conservation efforts and weakens enforcement of wildlife protection laws.
In mitigation, Kanodeweta pleaded for leniency, telling the court that he was a traditional healer who used the snakes during traditional rituals.
He said some of his clients included artisanal miners who sought spiritual assistance to improve their mining fortunes.
Magistrate Musiiwa fined Kanodeweta US$150 or, in default of payment, three months' imprisonment.
The court also ordered that the two snakes be forfeited to ZimParks for safekeeping.
The State was represented by prosecutor Brighton Garikai Chiromo.
Source - Mirror
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