UMGUZA – A dramatic confrontation unfolded just after the Airport turn-off along Nkayi Road in Umguza District when a prominent local businessman turned the tables on two self-proclaimed Tsikamutandas, who had accused him of using witchcraft to amass his wealth.
The businessman, whose identity has been withheld for security reasons, had recently faced suspicion from his own relatives. They were convinced that misfortunes including poverty, poor harvests, and unemployment that plagued their household were the result of his alleged involvement with “ondofa,” a mythical spirit believed in local folklore to bring wealth to its owner by siphoning the fortunes of others.
Tensions escalated when two traditional healers, claiming to be expert Tsikamutandas, arrived at the home offering to “cleanse” the homestead of the supposed goblin for a fee of US$1,000. The men insisted that the businessman had used dark powers to accumulate his wealth and that a special ritual would expose the evil spirit that was allegedly afflicting the family.
Rather than confront them or refuse, the businessman played along. He calmly agreed to the ritual and even offered to pay the full fee, concealing a crucial detail: the house had been equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in every room.
The following day, the healers returned and requested privacy to perform the ceremony. They asked for water and salt, claiming these were sacred tools needed to weaken the spirit. As one healer muttered incantations and sprinkled the mixture around the room, the other surreptitiously pulled a sedated iguana from a plastic bag and positioned it behind a door. Moments later, they lit herbs on a plate, letting smoke fill the room while proclaiming triumphantly that the goblin had manifested.
The family was then summoned into the room, where the healers pointed dramatically at the iguana. “Behold! This is what has been destroying your lives!” one of them shouted. Shocked relatives gasped, believing the so-called spirit had been captured.
But before the deceit could escalate further, the businessman stepped forward holding a TV remote. Calmly, he asked everyone to sit and watch the “reveal.” As the screen lit up, footage from the CCTV cameras showed every move, every whisper, and every deceitful act. The cameras had captured the healers planting the iguana themselves, orchestrating the illusion of a malevolent spirit.
Businessman Exposes Fake Witch Hunters in Dramatic CCTV Sting in Umguza District
The room fell silent as relatives watched in stunned disbelief. “I couldn’t believe my eyes,” said one family member who witnessed the event. “Everything we thought we knew about spirits and curses was turned upside down.”
The revelation triggered immediate outrage. Onlookers and relatives confronted the healers, seizing them before handing them over to local police. Chaos erupted as the fraudulent practitioners attempted to flee, only to be restrained by the crowd.
Speaking to reporters after the ordeal, the businessman described the incident as a wake-up call for the community. “These fake prophets are destroying our communities,” he said. “They feed on fear and ignorance. If not for the CCTV, my family could have been torn apart by superstition and lies. This is a warning to everyone — always question what you are told, and don’t let fear cloud your judgment.”
Local authorities praised the businessman’s initiative, noting that cases of fraudulent traditional healers exploiting superstition are on the rise. “We have seen numerous instances where so-called Tsikamutandas exploit vulnerable families for personal gain,” said a police spokesperson. “This case highlights the importance of vigilance and the role that technology can play in protecting communities.”
The incident has since become the talk of Umguza District, sparking discussions on social media about the dangers posed by unscrupulous traditional healers. Community leaders are calling for awareness campaigns to educate the public about scams and to encourage reporting of fraudulent activities.
For the businessman, however, the ordeal was not just about proving his innocence. The CCTV footage exposed a wider social problem: a growing network of conmen who prey on fear and desperation. “We need to protect our communities from these charlatans,” he said. “Knowledge, evidence, and critical thinking are our best defenses.”
As word of the incident spreads, many residents are reconsidering their reliance on traditional healers, opting instead for transparency and accountability. In a dramatic twist of fate, the very tools intended to intimidate and deceive the family became the instrument of justice, leaving the Tsikamutandas exposed and the community reminded that not all that appears mystical is genuine.
Source- Bulawayo24
