By Farayi Machamire
Pro-democracy activists yesterday expressed shock and anger over Monday’s Cabinet meeting which centred on modalities of stopping witch-hunters while the country faced an unprecedented economic meltdown.
Consisting of 26 ministers, Cabinet after a full sitting, pronounced that rampant activity of witch-hunters — widely known as tsikamutandas — were criminal.
In a statement yesterday, Information minister Chris Mushowe announced that Cabinet resolved to bring to book perpetrators who were wreaking havoc in villagers with the aid of traditional leaders, adding Rural Development minister Abednico Ncube had been directed to work closely with law enforcement agents and chiefs to ensure that the practice is brought to an end.
National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe chairperson Sten Zvorwadza described the meeting as shocking considering the myriad problems bedevilling the country.
This comes as the country is facing cash, fuel and power shortages, deflation blamed on weak consumer demand, rampant unemployment and an influx of cheaper goods from South Africa, the continent’s biggest economy.
“To sit down and commit resources to converge trivial issues based on spiritual matters is tantamount to superstition,” Zvorwadza said.
“Such tendencies only depict a desperate government which relies on short cuts to deal with problems it created. The biggest witchcraft we should be concerned about is citizens sleeping in queues, lack of employment and the effects of bond notes.”
Patson Dzamara, brother to missing activist Itai, said he was gobsmacked about Cabinet’s agenda.
“They obviously have no solution to the multi-facetted crisis and have to resort to these desperate sideshows to distract the hungry and angry revolting masses,” Dzamara fumed.
“I reiterate that I and other democratic forces will continue to push them to reform or to ship out. It’s the endgame.”
Leader of the Devine Destiny Network Bishop Ancelimo Magaya however, commended government on acknowledging the existence of tsikamutandas who are milking desperate villagers.
“Witchcraft is a reality but it’s very difficult to dictate who is a witch so much so that witch-hunting is as best as practising witchcraft itself. Sadly, most of those who are innocent are the ones punished,” he said.
“So we celebrate that government has come out clear on witch hunting but in most cases tsikamutandas get into the communities with the backing of chiefs and traditional leaders who are paid to protect them, it’s almost like a syndicate.” Daily News
