Kudzai Matava / Peter Chawapiwa
Gutu – In a bizarre incident that has left the local community tongue-tied, a woman from Maravanyika Village under Chief Munyaradzi allegedly killed and feasted on her newly-born baby before throwing the remains in a bucket.
Speaking to TellZim News recently, elders from Maravanyika Village confirmed that they were still in a state of shock saying family representatives and community elders had taken the woman, only identified as Irene, to her family in Gokwe.
Irene was reportedly married to Webster Muzavazi from Muzavazi village but was currently staying in Maravanyika village.
“This is a suspected case of witchcraft. Irene is said to have been initiated into witchcraft by her relatives at a tender age so upon giving birth to her child at Mutero Mission hospital, she was being pressured by members of her sinister witchcraft group to supply human flesh and ended up giving her own baby,” the source said.
Narrating the strange incident to TellZim News, Webster’s uncle only identified as Baba Rudo Munyaradzi, who was part of the team which escorted Irene to Gokwe said everyone was still in shock.
“When all this happened, I was not around but I can confirm everyone is still in a state of shock. On the fateful day in question about two weeks ago, lrene was seen running up and down around the yard- she was behaving in a strange way and people suspected that something was wrong. She was then asked about the whereabouts of the newly born baby and she initially claimed that the child had been eaten by dogs. Initially people thought it was a joke but after a search, people bumped into a bucket which was full of blood and the child’s remains. The bucket was hidden behind the door in the house,” said Webster’s Uncle.
“My elder brother was called to attend to the scene and her husband who was away was also alerted about the incident. Irene was still acting strangely so we had to communicate with her family who instructed us to bury our grandchild and bring them their child. Even when I left her at her rural home in Gokwe, she still appeared distracted,” he said.
Muzavazi Village head who is also a relative to Webster said the incident will be remembered as one of the saddest episodes in both the family and the community history.
“Webster comes from my village but he is now living in Maravanyika village. We are failing to come to terms with this issue up until now. This is the saddest episode of our life, everyone is shocked. I am not sure if Sabhuku Maravanyika is going to take any action against anyone but all I can confirm is that we are not happy,” said Sabhuku Muzavazi.
Village head Maravanyika could not be reached for comment before going to print.
Sources insist that Irene confessed that she was a witch.
“She confessed that she was a witch and said she had started the practice when she was still very young. She said she had no option besides killing her child since it was her turn to sacrifice her child,” said another source.news
