A former headman, Chengetai Chigodora (49), appeared before a Mutare magistrate on Wednesday to answer charges related to branding a community member a witch during a local court hearing.
Chigodora faces allegations under Section 99 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, which prohibits accusing someone of witchcraft. He denied the charges, and the case proceeded to trial before Magistrate Ivy Musavengana.
Prosecutor Sharon Chibvongodze told the court that the incident occurred on January 6, 2024, when Chigodora presided over a traditional court session. He had summoned Tapiwa Christopher Magumbe after his brothers—Jerome, Lionel, and Nhaka Magumbe—claimed he was responsible for their misfortunes.
“During the session, one of the brothers accused Tapiwa of being the cause of their financial struggles and joblessness. He went further to allege that Tapiwa was behind family deaths through supernatural means,” said Ms. Chibvongodze.
Rather than maintaining neutrality, Chigodora allegedly sided with the accusers and made shocking remarks.
“He commended the brother for confronting Tapiwa and even stated that it would have been better if he had been struck with an axe to end the family’s suffering,” the prosecutor said.
The court also heard that Chigodora threatened to force Tapiwa to undergo a traditional cleansing ritual against his will. Additionally, he is accused of uploading a video of the court proceedings to a YouTube channel named ‘Headman Chigodora,’ exposing Tapiwa to public humiliation. Although the footage is no longer available online, it was presented in court as evidence.
During cross-examination, Mr. Magumbe testified that Chigodora’s comments were deeply humiliating.
“He even stated that if I died, he would tell mourners at my funeral that I was a wizard. Instead of being impartial, he misused his authority to side against me,” Magumbe told the court.
The case has gained widespread attention, especially as it follows a prior legal dispute. After the traditional court ruling, Magumbe sought relief from the Mutare Magistrates’ Civil Court, where Magistrate Purity Gumbo ruled in his favor.
The court order barred Chigodora from forcing Magumbe into any cleansing or ritual practices against his will.
“The respondents are hereby prohibited from coercing the applicant into any form of ritual or cleansing ceremony involving traditional healers or prophets without his consent,” read the ruling.
Chigodora has been at the center of controversy before. In September 2024, he was dismissed from his acting headman position after exceeding his tenure by two years, violating the Traditional Leaders Act. His leadership style had drawn criticism from community members, some of whom accused him of abusing his authority to settle personal disputes.
The trial is set to continue today (Friday). Chigodora remains out on bail.
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