Petros Chiropa, a self-proclaimed traditional healer from Matondo Village in Chigodora, was sentenced to 54 months in prison for stealing US$20,100 from Assistant Commissioner Florence Marume of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
Chiropa was also ordered to repay US$8,100 to Marume, the remaining balance of the stolen amount.
He was charged with theft and money laundering and appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Annie Ndiraya.
The accused initially faced bail but later violated his conditions and was re-arrested. Despite pleading not guilty, he was convicted due to strong evidence. 
Chiropa had argued that he was a wealthy healer and that the charges were false, claiming he only knew Marume and her domestic worker, Precious Nyasha Manyawu, through a church.
However, it was revealed in court that Chiropa and Manyawu had a romantic relationship and conspired to steal the money.
Court evidence also showed that Chiropa had spent the stolen money on luxury items, including a Toyota Runx, beds, wardrobes, and a large TV.
Manyawu, who was involved in the theft, is serving time in Mutare Remand Prison. Chiropa claimed to be not only a traditional healer but also a truck driver and businessman.
Prosecutor Tafadzwa Zulu told the court that Manyawu was entrusted with the money by Assistant Commissioner Marume for safekeeping. Added Zulu:
<blockquote>
However, when Assistant Commissioner Marume asked for the money on December 16, 2023, Manyawu failed to produce it.
An investigation was launched, and it was discovered that Chiropa had taken the money and converted it to his own use, with Manyawu’s assistance.
The total value stolen is US$20 100 and US$12 000 was recovered.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

A traditional healer named Petros Chiropa stole $20,100 from a top cop named Assistant Commissioner Florence Marume in Zimbabwe. He was sentenced to 54 months in prison and ordered to repay $8,100 to Marume. Chiropa initially denied the charges but was convicted due to strong evidence. He used the stolen money to buy luxury items like a Toyota Runx and TVs. He claimed to be a wealthy healer, truck driver, and businessman, but it was revealed that he conspired with Marume's domestic worker to steal the money. The worker is also in prison. Marume had entrusted the money to the worker, who then gave it to Chiropa.

N'anga Steals US$20 000 From Top Cop

A female traditional healer is facing aggravated indecent assault charges after allegedly forcing herself on a 17-year-old mentally challenged boy whom she was meant to assist with her healing powers, reported <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/drama-as-sangoma-rapes-mentally-challenged-teenager/">H-Metro</a>.
Catherine Nhongo, 39, appeared before Harare regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei, who remanded her in custody to this Wednesday for bail considerations.
The court heard that on November 10, the boy’s sister encountered Nhongo while returning from the shops. She informed Nhongo about her brother’s speech difficulties and other disabilities, prompting Nhongo to offer her help.
The sister accompanied Nhongo back to their home, where Nhongo requested beer and cigarettes to begin the spiritual proceedings. The boy’s brother went to fetch the items, which Nhongo consumed upon his return.
During the session, Nhongo ordered the boy’s brother to put mealie meal in the boy’s mouth. She then began touching the boy inappropriately and instructed his siblings to leave the house, insisting on being alone with him. They complied.
After about 15 minutes, the siblings heard strange sounds coming from inside. The boy eventually emerged, raising his hands as if trying to communicate something. He took his brother’s phone and typed that Nhongo had raped him.
Alarmed, the brother alerted his sisters, who subsequently contacted the police. Nhongo attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by the boy’s brother.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A woman who heals people in a special way was arrested for doing something bad to a teenage boy with a disability. She touched him in a wrong way while they were together. The boy's brother and sisters heard something strange and found out she had hurt the boy. The sisters called the police, and the woman tried to run away but was caught. She now has to go to court. The woman was not supposed to do what she did to the boy.

Female Traditional Healer Arrested For "Raping" Boy (17) During Healing Session

Dynamos FC chairman Moses Maunganidze has refuted allegations that the club enlisted the services of a traditional healer (sangoma) ahead of their recent match against arch-rivals Highlanders.
Reports had surfaced suggesting that the Harare giants had paid $1,000 to a witchdoctor in an attempt to influence the outcome of the high-profile clash.
However, despite this alleged ritual, Dynamos ultimately lost the match 2-0 at Rufaro Stadium.
In an interview, Maunganidze said Dynamos does not engage the services of sangomas but rather works with Christian pastors.
At the same time, he asserted that the club respects the freedom of conscience of its players. Maunganidze:
<blockquote>
I am speaking as chairman of Dynamos, that Dynamos doesn’t subscribe to such practices.
Week in, week out we have allowed that we bring to the training session pastors from different denominations to come and pray with our boys, whilst aware of the rights of these players as enshrined in the Constitution of this country.
We as a club, we are saying no to such practices (of paying sangomas), it’s not part of us. This I’m saying on behalf of Dynamos Football Club.
</blockquote>
The reports of Dynamos FC allegedly paying a substantial sum of money to a sangoma ahead of their match against Highlanders have drawn significant public interest, particularly given the club’s widely publicised financial difficulties.
Dynamos players had boycotted training for several days before the match, protesting unpaid bonuses and signing-on fees.
This meant the team had only managed to hold two practice sessions before the highly anticipated “Battle of Zimbabwe” match.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The chairman of Dynamos FC said they didn't use traditional healers for their match, but worked with Christian pastors. They lost 2-0 to Highlanders even though it was rumored they paid a witchdoctor. The club believes in freedom of religion for its players. The team had financial issues before the game, with players protesting unpaid money. They only had two practice sessions before the match. The story attracted a lot of attention from the public. Maunganidze insisted Dynamos does not believe in witchcraft and does not pay sangomas.

Dynamos Work With Church Pastors, Not Sangomas - DeMbare Chairman

Two armed robbers attacked a traditional healer after they posed as patients who needed spiritual services, getting away with R3 000.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Jerry Wonder Siziba (28) and Cohen Muleya (whose age was not given) were arraigned at the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court facing two counts of robbery. The NPA said:
<blockquote>
It was the State’s case that on the 11th of January 2024, the accused persons pounced on the complainant, a traditional healer who was in the company of her male relative, pretending to be seeking spiritual healing services.
They demanded cash from the complainant and assaulted her all over the body. One of the accused persons pointed a gun at the complainant whereupon surrendered ZAR3 000.
</blockquote>
The robbers then took a cellphone belonging to the witch doctor’s relative and fled the scene when they noticed a neighbour approaching the homestead. Said the NPA:
<blockquote>
The following day, the complainants who were making a follow-up on the accused persons positively identified Siziba at Mutetengwe Business Centre and reported him to the police, leading to his arrest.
A spot search on Siziba led to the recovery of the complainant’s Mobicel phone from his pocket. He implicated the second accused person.
</blockquote>
Siziba was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment while Muleya was acquitted.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Witchdoctor Robbed Of R3 000 By Robbers Disguised As Patients

A 51-year-old man employed by Zimsend Bulawayo as a driver, Bongani Matshazi, lost US$7 000 and ZAR10 000 to a traditional healer and then reported a case of robbery to the Police to cover the theft.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) alleges that on 29 February 2024, Matshazi, whose duties include delivering cash to Zimsend money transfer outlets, was instructed to deliver US$7 000 and ZAR10 000 to an outlet in Plumtree.
But before he left Bulawayo for Plumtree, Matshazi went to see his traditional healer, Dr Musa who had previously instructed him to bring money from his workplace for a ritual for him to get promoted.
Matshazi allegedly handed over US$7 000 and ZAR10 000 for the ritual. Musa wrapped the money in a black cloth and performed the ritual.
When Matshazi got home to perform the last part of the ritual he realized that Musa had swapped the money for ZWL$100 notes and paper cuttings.
He then reported a case of robbery to the Police to cover the theft. Matshazi claimed he was robbed at Khami Bridge on his way to Plumtree.
However, during investigations, the vehicle tracker revealed that he never stopped at Khami Bridge, instead he had stopped for a considerable time at the location where he met Musa. He had no choice but to come clean to the Police.
Matshazi was arraigned before the Plumtree Magistrates Court facing charges of making a false report to the Police.
He did not waste the court’s time and pleaded guilty to the charge wherein he was sentenced to a fine of US$200 or 5 months imprisonment.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Traditional Healer Steals US$7 000, ZAR10 000 From Client

A Gokwe traditional healer was arrested for allegedly raping a woman during a healing session after instructing her husband to wait outside.
According to a <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/sangoma-has-sex-with-client-as-hubby-waits/">B-Metro</a> report, the incident occurred in Jarichari Village under Chief Njelele in Gokwe South District, Midlands Province.
Prosecuting, Malvern Nzombe said that on 15 March 2023 and at around 10 AM the woman whose name is being withheld for ethical reasons and her husband who was not feeling well consulted the self-proclaimed sangoma aged 46 (name supplied).
The traditional healer is from Shonhai Village under Chief Chireya in Gokwe North District but was in Gokwe South when he met the couple.
After the couple consulted the traditional healer, he allegedly suggested to the couple that the healing session was supposed to be done at their home.
The woman and her sick husband then agreed and took the traditional healer, who was in the company of his assistant, to their home.
Upon arrival at their place, the traditional healer ordered the woman and her husband to enter their kitchen hut.
The Sangoma then ordered the woman’s husband to go to a nearby road junction to collect some soil which he claimed he wanted to use during the cleansing process.
The traditional healer also instructed his assistant to stay outside the kitchen hut monitoring the return of the woman’s husband.
It is alleged that while in the kitchen hut, the Sangoma grabbed the woman and pulled her down and raped her.
The woman’s husband reportedly came earlier than expected but the traditional healer’s assistant stopped him from proceeding to the kitchen hut.
He said the healer was going to call him if he was done with cleansing his wife and the husband complied.
After the act, the Sangoma opened the door and called his workmate and the woman’s husband to come inside.
The matter came to light when the woman later revealed the rape ordeal to the Sangoma’s other assistant.
She was advised to report the matter to the police leading to the traditional healer’s arrest.
The accused has since appeared before Gokwe magistrate Honest Musiyiwa charged with rape.
He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to 20 June.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Traditional Healer Rapes Client As Husband Waits Outside Hut

A Seke-based traditional healer, Sekuru Mutasa, has denied claims that he gave money-making charms to the 17-year-old teenager who raped his 10-year-old biological sister.
The teenager told Harare regional magistrate Clever Tsikwa that Sekuru Mutasa had given him charms to get rich and advised him that the juju would only work if he sleeps with his biological sister.
He was sentenced to six years in prison.
Speaking to H-Metro, Sekuru Mutasa (born Bright Mharadze) said he is not the one mentioned by the accused. He said:
<blockquote>
There is a bogus traditional healer masquerading as Sekuru Mutasa.
That’s the one who might have wrongly advised the jailed teenager.
First and foremost, I don’t give charms to young people.
Secondly, I thoroughly vet any person who approaches me for my get-rich charms.
I have nothing to do with this case.
</blockquote>
The traditional healer said he doesn’t believe the teenager’s claims that he sought the advice of a sangoma before raping his sister.
The court heard that sometime in 2019, the two siblings were at home alone when the brother called his sister to their parents’ bedroom.
He instructed the minor to remove her clothes, but she refused and then he stripped her naked and raped her.
After the rape, he threatened to kill her if she told anyone.
The boy raped his sister again the following day and on two other occasions in the same year.
On 11 January 2023, the brother raped the girl again.
The court heard that when the girl tried to reveal the incident to her mother, she thought she was lying.
The matter came to light when the two siblings had a misunderstanding at their aunt’s house.
The girl told her aunt that her brother always threatened her whenever she tried to reveal that he had raped her. | <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/sangoma-refutes-claims/">H-Metro</a>

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