A 22-year-old woman from Acacia, Penhalonga, has vehemently denied allegations that she initiated more than 25 children into the occult.
The alleged Satanist (name withheld), told The Manica Post that she is a victim of a smear campaign, claiming that she is a born again Christian and a regular visitor to an Apostolic shrine.
Allegations of Satanism against the woman arose after a 12-year-old girl started manifesting at night last week and slithered on the floor like a snake.
The girl told her father that she and 25 other children in the area had been initiated into Satanism by the woman.
Two other minors had similar manifestations and one of the girls also accused the alleged Satanist of initiating her into the occult.
A neighbour, Emilio Magaso, said the alleged Satanist is not new to controversy and they believe she has a mermaid spirit.
However, the alleged Satanist told The Manica Post that she has been seeking prayers from a white garment prophet. She said:
Honestly, look at me, I am 22 years old and I have a child. Why would I be friends with people who are 10 years younger than me? Most of these kids are not even teenagers and I do not even know them that much.
I am actually coming from the prophet’s shrine. He told me that those spiritual attacks are not a result of Satanism, those attacks are from the children’s jealousy families. The attacks have nothing to do with me.
During my high school days, my family’s spirits also haunted me but a local madzibaba delivered me and I am now a devoted Christian. They need to take their children to the prophet for deliverance instead of blaming me.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe National Healers’ Association (ZINATHA) president, George Kandiero, said indications are that the children were initiated into witchcraft. He said:
The snakes and manifestations suggest that the children are already witches and wizards. The fact that some of the children’s mothers are also witnessing a change in behaviour is proof of this.
They need urgent cleansing through either traditional or Christian means. In addition, there is a need for proper witch-hunting so that there are no further initiations in the area.