“Suspicious Items” at Harare Town House Spark Tension, Claims of Witchcraft

Warren Chiwawa

Suspicious items found outside the office of Harare City Council’s newly appointed chamber secretary, Warren Chiwawa, have triggered unease among staff and speculation about possible witchcraft. The incident reportedly occurred at Town House, the headquarters of the Harare City Council, where Chiwawa’s office is located.

According to reports, cat faeces were discovered smeared on the door to his office early one morning. In a separate incident, a dead bird and peanuts were allegedly found in his designated parking bay. The unusual findings have fuelled suspicions among some employees that the items may have been placed deliberately, possibly as part of ritual practices associated with black magic.

Chiwawa confirmed the incidents, saying the situation has been unsettling.

“Someone has been performing black magic at my office and parking bay since last week. It is scary,” he said.

Harare mayor Jacob Mafume acknowledged being briefed on the matter, describing the developments as concerning, though he questioned the persistence of such beliefs.

“Yes, our chamber secretary briefed me on the matter, but it is surprising that there are people who still believe in black magic,” Mafume said.

The incidents have reportedly heightened anxiety among staff, with some expressing discomfort about accessing certain areas within the building.

One employee who removed the items said they took precautionary measures, including sprinkling salt on the materials before disposing of them. While such incidents are rare in formal workplace environments, they are not entirely unheard of in Zimbabwe, where beliefs in witchcraft and spiritual practices remain prevalent in some communities. Experts note that allegations of ritual activity often emerge in contexts of workplace rivalry or leadership disputes, particularly in positions associated with influence or authority. Authorities have not indicated whether any formal investigation has been launched, and it remains unclear who may be responsible for placing the items.

Harare Town House incident witchcraft claims