National

Inyathi man brutally kills granny after tsikamunda says she was sucking his blood

Published

4 years ago

June 13, 2022

BY NOTHANDO DUBE

A man from Inyathi in Matabeleland North brutally killed a 70 year-old woman after a self-proclaimed exorcist (commonly known as tsikamutanda) told him that she was in the habit of sucking his blood for ritual purposes.

Fifty year-old Mehluli Tshuma has since been sentenced to 20 years for the gruesome murder by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese during a recent Hwange circuit court session.

Prosecutor Bhekimpilo Tshabalala told the court that on September 23, 29, Tshuma saw the woman wandering at 2 am around a neighbour’s plot that had been cleared for the construction of a homestead.

Two days later, at 11 am the man was on his way to Inyathi police station in the company of his wife to a make a report suggesting that the woman was bewitching him when he saw her at the plot.

Tshabalala said Tshuma was “overcome with rage” and handed a knobkerrie he was carrying to his wife before picking a log, which he used to strike the woman six times all over her body until she collapsed.

“The accused left the deceased lying down and proceeded to Inyathi Police station where he surrendered himself to the police,” Tshabalala said.

A post-mortem report showed that the woman died due to “severe brain damage, skull bones fracture and head trauma.”

“A log which was used to assault the deceased had a height of 170 centimetres and weighed 1, 7 kilogrammes,” the prosecutor said, adding that Tshuma failed to exercise self-control.

“The accused was supposed to be aware of issues of self-control as he had been told by tsikamutandas four days before the incident and he could have attacked the deceased at that moment,” Tshabalala said.

“After two hits, the old woman asked why the accused was hitting her.

“The accused was not merciful and continued to hit the old woman until she died.

“The accused intentionally wanted to kill the deceased as no first aid was attempted on the deceased.”

Tshuma, through his lawyers, said a tsikamutanda from Gokwe had told him that the woman was bewitching him and sucking his blood.

The tsikamutanda cleansed his homestead because he could not sleep at night and had “strange visions.”

In his ruling, Justice Makonese said although Tshuma was manipulated by the tsikamutanda, he committed premeditated murder.

“The accused was a victim of manipulation by tsikamutandas, but loss of human life cannot be condoned,” the judge said.

“The murder was committed in aggravated circumstances, therefore, I find you guilty of contravening Section 47 of the Criminal (Codification) Act and thereby sentence you to 20 years in prison.

“There is a need for communities to seek amicable ways of solving issues, which involve bringing matters to community leaders and never taking the law to their own hands.”

National

Government launches nationwide dog vaccination drive amid surge in rabies cases

Published

2 weeks ago

February 18, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

The Government has launched an urgent nationwide dog vaccination campaign following a surge in rabies cases across Zimbabwe.

In a statement posted over the weekend, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development said the country is experiencing a significant rise in rabies infections, largely linked to domestic dogs and wild jackals.

Permanent Secretary Prof. Obert Jiri confirmed that 650,000 doses of rabies vaccine have been secured from Botswana — exceeding the country’s usual annual requirement — to contain the escalating threat.

The Ministry said the campaign will be rolled out in the coming weeks across all provinces, targeting hotspots near national parks and conservancies, as well as urban areas that have recorded increasing cases.

Prof. Jiri stressed the urgency of seeking immediate medical attention following dog bites, warning that rabies is fatal in humans once symptoms appear.

He appealed to dog owners to ensure their pets are vaccinated, saying collective action remains the primary defence against the deadly disease and is critical in preventing further fatalities.

National

Matabeleland North flags aid discrimination as provinces record widespread violations

Published

2 weeks ago

February 18, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Matabeleland North recorded cases of discrimination in government aid distribution and political interference in community leadership, as human rights violations were reported across all provinces in January, according to the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP).

In Matabeleland North, five violations were documented.

“On 9 January 2026, in Ward 29 (Emphafeni), farmers reported irregularities in agricultural input distribution, including selective allocation of groundnuts and maize seed to ruling party supporters, and sharing of 50kg fertiliser bags among three farmers, raising concerns over fairness and equal access to government assistance,” the report states.

In Binga South, a village secretary was removed from his position “for not aligning with ruling party positions, affecting his political rights and freedom of association.”

In Matabeleland South, four violations were recorded, mainly involving political intimidation. In Gwanda, individuals allegedly invaded Vubachikwe Mine claiming political backing, while in Bulilima West, villagers were reportedly threatened with losing land under the land reform programme if they did not support the “2030” agenda.

Bulawayo recorded two violations, including a case where “a visually impaired woman was denied bus transport from Bulawayo to South Africa despite having valid travel documents and fare, raising concerns of discrimination based on disability.” Residents in Old Magwegwe also reported prolonged sewage blockages exposing families to health risks.

Midlands province recorded 13 violations, including environmental concerns in Redcliff and Kwekwe over potential water contamination linked to gold processing chemicals. In Zhombe, political interference prevented enforcement of a court sentence in an assault case. In Silobela, police disrupted a Gukurahundi memorial service organised by a human rights group.

Masvingo recorded 19 violations, including the assault and arrest of a female vendor at SimRac Shopping Complex. The report says her goods were destroyed in what it describes as harassment of informal traders. Patients at Mashoko Hospital and Gawa Clinic also faced high user fees and limited medication.

Mashonaland West recorded 10 violations, including alleged irregularities in agricultural input distribution in Magunje and assault linked to ruling party supporters in Sanyati.

Mashonaland East documented six violations. In Murehwa North, “Provincial Chairperson and Minister Daniel Garwe threatened individuals in Ward 30, warning that those supporting the opposition CCC would be excluded from community programs and that anyone associating with CCC members could face violent reprisals.”

Mashonaland Central recorded four violations, including exclusion of community members, including persons with disabilities, from presidential agricultural inputs in Mt Darwin South, and learners being denied access to Grade 7 results over unpaid fees.

Harare recorded 16 violations, including assaults linked to political intolerance, disruption of civic gatherings, politicisation of borehole water access in Glenview, and the detention of a political activist over a planned protest.

Manicaland recorded the highest number of violations at 31. ZPP said incidents involved “state security agents, ruling party members, war veterans, and local authorities,” including intimidation of a human rights defender in Chimanimani and disruption of a community meeting in Nyanga South.

Overall, ZPP said the January data reflects “continued structural and institutional challenges in the protection, promotion, and fulfilment of human rights,” reinforcing the need for strengthened accountability and rights-based governance across the country.

National

Police arrest six in major drug busts across the country

Published

2 weeks ago

February 17, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY BANDILE TSHUMA

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested six suspects in separate incidents involving the unlawful possession and cultivation of dangerous drugs across the country.

In a press statement written on Monday, police said the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and substance abuse.

On Sunday , police in Plumtree intercepted a Toyota Quantum vehicle and arrested Msawenkosi Ndlovu (49) and Vengai Chawa (41). The two were found in possession of 5 124 bottles of Broncleer cough syrup (100ml) and 4 170 bottles of Astra Pain cough syrup (100ml). The illicit substances are valued at approximately US$80 000.

In a separate case on the same day, police in Wedza arrested Emanuel Busemani (28) at Plot 7 Investment Farm in Melfort, Goromonzi in connection with the unlawful cultivation of dagga.

Meanwhile, in Bubi, Lacken Tshuma (55) and Owner Muleya (32) were arrested on Monday at Inunwa Ranch for unlawful cultivation of dagga.

In another incident on Friday, Tinashe Mero Shoko (22) and Eliot Badza (33) were arrested at a house in Garikai, Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge after police recovered 100 kilogrammes of dagga.

Police reiterated that the fight against drug and illicit substance peddling and trafficking will continue for the safety and security of Zimbabweans.

The ZRP urged members of the public to provide information on drug lords, dealers and criminal syndicates. Reports can be made through the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703 631, via WhatsApp on 0712 800 197, or at any nearest police station.