Chimanimani family faces d3aths linked to chicken and $1 gift

A Chimanimani family is embroiled in turmoil following the unexplained d3aths of two relatives, raising suspicions of w!tchcraft.

The bizarre drama began when a chicken was gifted during a visit to the father of one of the deceased, only to vanish shortly afterward.

The matter was brought to Chief Saurombe’s court last Sunday, where Irene Mucharwa accused her estranged husband, Richard Mucharwa, of using w!tchcraft to bring about the untimely d3aths of their son and her brother.

The two men reportedly passed away in 2023, a mere three days after Richard offered a live chicken and $1 as gifts.

Irene recounted the tr@gic sequence of events: “My husband and I had been apart for over 20 years, and I lived with our children—one son and one daughter.

Last year, my son wanted to visit his father, and my brother decided to accompany him. Upon their return, Richard gifted them a chicken.”

The gifted chicken was mixed in with the family’s poultry but mysteriously disappeared after three days. “Soon after, my brother d!ed under strange circumstances,” Irene explained.

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In light of her brother’s sudden passing, Irene turned to local traditional healers, known as n’anga, who allegedly pointed fingers at Richard, asserting that his actions linked to the chicken might have been the catalyst for the d3aths.

“Mucharwa (Richard) was summoned to a local healer, where he reportedly confessed to causing my brother’s d3ath following the chicken’s disappearance,” Irene alleged.

According to Irene, the healer instructed Richard to retain the $1 token as a r!tual offering to prevent further issues within the family. “He was told to keep the $1 and await additional guidance from the healer,” she noted, emphasizing the unsettling nature of these events.

Tragically, just three days after receiving the $1 from his father, Irene’s son also d!ed. “Our son passed away shortly after telling me that his father had given him the money. Why would he give our son $1? He was the last remaining witness who knew precisely what transpired during their visit to his father with my late brother,” she contended, suggesting Richard aimed to silence their son.

In stark contrast, Richard vehemently denied all allegations, claiming they were malicious attempts to discredit him. “My mother-in-law (Irene’s mother) is a traditional healer, and I believe she colluded with others to cast suspicion on me. I am innocent,” he asserted.

Irene added that the dispute has previously been presented in other courts, pointing to Richard’s pattern of seeking retrials in different traditional settings when dissatisfied with outcomes. “Whenever a ruling is made, he finds an excuse to move the case to another court. It’s just a tactic to avoid taking responsibility for his actions,” she declared.

Richard defended his actions, arguing that he was merely pursuing justice and fairness in the hearing. He expressed concerns about potential biases in the proceedings. “I requested the transfer because I felt the officials had ties to my wife’s family. It was about seeking a fair trial, not evading the issue,” he explained.

After reviewing both sides, Chief Saurombe ordered the parties to consult three traditional healers to arrive at a collective resolution. “I want to stress the importance of consensus on which healers you choose to visit. This court cannot compel anyone to accept a healer they distrust. All parties must agree,” the Chief emphasized.

However, he cautioned Richard, stating, “If it turns out you are responsible, this court will impose strict punishment upon you for wasting our time.” The Chief mentioned that the case would resume in the near future, allowing both sides to seek counsel from different traditional healers.