News / National
'Fake' bee attacks spark alarm in Zimbabwe
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A growing number of Zimbabweans are falling victim to an alarming trend where self-proclaimed prophets, traditional healers (n'angas), and pastors claim to send bees to punish individuals accused of wrongdoing - often for stealing money or breaking relationships. But experts warn the entire practice is a scam designed to rob desperate people of their money.
Reports of people allegedly being "surrounded by bees" have flooded social media, with videos showing individuals being accused of theft or infidelity, all while swarmed by bees. Many of these incidents are said to be orchestrated, with victims often paying hefty sums for so-called justice or spiritual cleansing.
In one case, a man from Sunway City, Ruwa, said he paid US$400 to a traditional healer in Harare, who promised to send bees to expose the person who had allegedly stolen money at his workplace - a crime for which he himself was being accused. The bees never came, and he was later arrested, losing both his money and reputation.
"I was told the bees would find and attack the thief, but nothing happened. Instead, I was arrested, and my money vanished. This is pure theft. These bees are being manipulated for deception," he said.
Many other victims interviewed by Kwayedza newspaper shared similar stories but refused to be named for fear of reprisals. They said they had been conned by individuals claiming spiritual powers to control bees for revenge or justice.
Attempts to contact several individuals featured in viral videos claiming to control bees yielded no clear answers, with most refusing to explain their methods.
However, experts in apiculture and traditional practices have denounced the practice as fraudulent.
Mr. Chaipa Mutandwa, National Programmes Director for the Beekeepers Association of Zimbabwe, said:
"Bees cannot be sent to attack people as claimed. If you isolate a queen bee, others will follow, but there are also substances used to make bees dormant or docile. This is all deception."
Mr. George Kandiero, head of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA), echoed the sentiment:
"These are lies and criminal acts. ZINATHA does not endorse this, and documents being used by these people in our name are fake. Most of the people shown surrounded by bees are paid actors, and the bees are drugged not to sting."
He warned people not to fall for such tricks, saying the real goal is to steal money from the vulnerable.
"If bees could catch criminals, police would be using them to arrest robbers. This is a scam. Many of these so-called prophets and n'angas are con artists using actors and fake spiritual tools to exploit people."
ZINATHA and other experts say some even use fake mystical items sold in markets such as Mbare and Mupedzanhamo, allegedly for summoning wealth or casting spells, which are then used to deceive clients.
Bishop Cuthbert Nyaruvenda of the ZINPA (Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association) added:
"Putting a queen bee in your pocket may attract bees, but they won't sting. Anyone claiming to send bees for revenge is a fraudster. Victims should report them to police."
Pastor Hazvinei Muchefa of RECFEMI Ministries said:
"These people use herbs and manipulate bees to create drama. They drug the bees to prevent stinging. It's all staged to make money from people already in distress."
Traditionalist Mbuya Alice Masoko Kwenda warned of a dark underworld where con artists extract queen bees to stage these incidents.
"This is a secret racket. People are losing their hard-earned money to these fraudsters."
Mr. Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), confirmed the practice is illegal.
"Using bees or any wildlife in this manner is a criminal offense. Victims must report these incidents to the police or to ZimParks so that action can be taken."
As fake bee attacks continue to trend online, experts urge Zimbabweans to remain vigilant and seek help only from recognized authorities - not self-styled spiritual agents promising miraculous justice through insects.
Reports of people allegedly being "surrounded by bees" have flooded social media, with videos showing individuals being accused of theft or infidelity, all while swarmed by bees. Many of these incidents are said to be orchestrated, with victims often paying hefty sums for so-called justice or spiritual cleansing.
In one case, a man from Sunway City, Ruwa, said he paid US$400 to a traditional healer in Harare, who promised to send bees to expose the person who had allegedly stolen money at his workplace - a crime for which he himself was being accused. The bees never came, and he was later arrested, losing both his money and reputation.
"I was told the bees would find and attack the thief, but nothing happened. Instead, I was arrested, and my money vanished. This is pure theft. These bees are being manipulated for deception," he said.
Many other victims interviewed by Kwayedza newspaper shared similar stories but refused to be named for fear of reprisals. They said they had been conned by individuals claiming spiritual powers to control bees for revenge or justice.
Attempts to contact several individuals featured in viral videos claiming to control bees yielded no clear answers, with most refusing to explain their methods.
However, experts in apiculture and traditional practices have denounced the practice as fraudulent.
Mr. Chaipa Mutandwa, National Programmes Director for the Beekeepers Association of Zimbabwe, said:
"Bees cannot be sent to attack people as claimed. If you isolate a queen bee, others will follow, but there are also substances used to make bees dormant or docile. This is all deception."
Mr. George Kandiero, head of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA), echoed the sentiment:
"These are lies and criminal acts. ZINATHA does not endorse this, and documents being used by these people in our name are fake. Most of the people shown surrounded by bees are paid actors, and the bees are drugged not to sting."
He warned people not to fall for such tricks, saying the real goal is to steal money from the vulnerable.
"If bees could catch criminals, police would be using them to arrest robbers. This is a scam. Many of these so-called prophets and n'angas are con artists using actors and fake spiritual tools to exploit people."
ZINATHA and other experts say some even use fake mystical items sold in markets such as Mbare and Mupedzanhamo, allegedly for summoning wealth or casting spells, which are then used to deceive clients.
Bishop Cuthbert Nyaruvenda of the ZINPA (Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association) added:
"Putting a queen bee in your pocket may attract bees, but they won't sting. Anyone claiming to send bees for revenge is a fraudster. Victims should report them to police."
Pastor Hazvinei Muchefa of RECFEMI Ministries said:
"These people use herbs and manipulate bees to create drama. They drug the bees to prevent stinging. It's all staged to make money from people already in distress."
Traditionalist Mbuya Alice Masoko Kwenda warned of a dark underworld where con artists extract queen bees to stage these incidents.
"This is a secret racket. People are losing their hard-earned money to these fraudsters."
Mr. Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), confirmed the practice is illegal.
"Using bees or any wildlife in this manner is a criminal offense. Victims must report these incidents to the police or to ZimParks so that action can be taken."
As fake bee attacks continue to trend online, experts urge Zimbabweans to remain vigilant and seek help only from recognized authorities - not self-styled spiritual agents promising miraculous justice through insects.
Source - online
