Chiefs In A Dilemma Over Settling Witchcraft Cases, Appeal For The Amendment Of Witchcraft Law

Chiefs in Matabeleland province are finding it difficult to deal with witchcraft cases brought before their courts. The Constitution of Zimbabwe does not acknowledge the existence of witchcraft while local culture has always acknowledged the existence of the dark arts.

Chief Gampu of Tsholotsho expressed dismay over these contradictions. In an interview with Southern Eye, the traditional leader had this to say

There is a problem that we as traditional leaders face in dealing with witchcraft disputes. This is because of the Witchcraft Suppression Act, a colonial law which is still in force today. In our culture as Africans, everyone knows that there is witchcraft. But when you label someone as such, you end up being arrested and you cannot get away with such claims.

But we, as chiefs, deal with these things all the time and if someone is said to be a witch, we can allow or direct the parties concerned to go to traditional healers, and these days there are those who are called tsikamutandas (witch hunters), for confirmation. The law does not allow such and I also do not support witch hunters.

Chief Gampu appealed to the government to help traditional leaders in such cases and he said that the government can no longer ignore the existence of witchcraft.

More: Newsday