Chief Mutasa Orders Reversal of Alleged Curse in Manicaland Traditional Court Dispute

A traditional court in Manicaland has ordered a Mozambican healer to reverse an alleged curse placed on a young man, after a woman admitted she may have targeted the wrong person over a missing gold mill. The ruling was issued by Chief Mutasa following a dramatic confession by Stella Mwakasikeni, who told the court she had sought spiritual intervention after her mining equipment was stolen, only to later doubt the identity of the alleged culprit.

The case centres on Blessing Kembo, whose mother, Barbra Kembo, accused Mwakasikeni of causing her son’s prolonged illness through traditional means. Appearing before the chief’s court, Mwakasikeni said she travelled to Mozambique, where a traditional healer claimed to identify the thief using spiritual methods involving a mirror.

“I saw a silhouette that resembled Blessing, though I did not see his face. The healer mentioned his name, and that is when I believed he was responsible,” she told the court.

Acting on that belief, she allowed the healer to carry out what she described as a “revenge plan,” later acknowledging that harm may have been inflicted on the wrong person.

“The healer is now in Dangamvura and is the only one who can reverse what was done,” she added.

The admission angered Blessing’s family, who said the young man had endured months of unexplained illness following the alleged incident. Barbra Kembo told the court her son initially suffered severe abdominal pain and was diagnosed with complications requiring surgery. He was treated at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, where he underwent an operation and briefly recovered before developing further health complications. Despite medical intervention, the family said they struggled to find a clear explanation for his deteriorating condition.

Blessing has consistently denied any involvement in the alleged theft.

“I do not even drive and I have no licence. I never stole anything,” he told the court. “If I was guilty, I would have confessed. What I have gone through is painful.”

In his ruling, Chief Mutasa criticised the use of spiritual retaliation without verified evidence, warning that such actions can have serious consequences for innocent people.

“You admitted that action was taken before the truth was established. People must not rush to punish suspects through spiritual means,” he said.

The chief ordered both families to travel together to Dangamvura to locate the healer and reverse any alleged harm.

“If something was done, let it be undone. After that, this court will hear what remains of the matter,” he ruled.

Legal and cultural experts say the case highlights ongoing tensions between traditional belief systems and Zimbabwe’s formal justice framework. According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, disputes involving allegations of witchcraft or spiritual harm often fall into a complex grey area.

“While traditional courts play a vital role in community dispute resolution, there is a risk when punitive action is taken without evidence,” a Harare-based legal analyst said. “Such cases can lead to human rights concerns, especially when individuals are harmed based on suspicion.”

Public health experts also caution that unexplained illnesses should be thoroughly investigated medically before attributing them to supernatural causes.

The case underscores the dangers of acting on unverified claims, particularly in communities where traditional beliefs remain influential. It also raises questions about accountability for cross-border traditional practices involving healers operating outside Zimbabwe’s regulatory oversight. Authorities have not indicated whether any criminal charges will arise from the matter, but the traditional court is expected to reconvene after the alleged reversal process. For now, the focus remains on restoring the health of the affected individual and resolving the dispute peacefully.

Chief Mutasa case