Nyanga Man Arrested for Alleged Stock Theft to Settle Sangoma Debt

Nyanga, Zimbabwe – A 61-year-old Nyanga resident, Oliver Sedze, finds himself in police custody, facing charges of stock theft after allegedly stealing seven cattle worth US$4,000.

The unusual motive behind the alleged theft? To settle a debt his late mother reportedly owed to a traditional healer.

The cattle in question belonged to Oliver’s younger brother, Weston Sedze. The debt was allegedly incurred by their late mother, Anna Sedze, who is said to have sought the sangoma’s services to acquire “goblins.”

The stolen livestock was reportedly sold, and the proceeds were paid to Matthias Sithole, a traditional healer known for publicly claiming he can provide clients with wealth-enhancing goblins. Sithole’s claims have previously led to family disputes, particularly when clients allegedly failed to pay for his services.

Weston Sedze, who resides in Harare, filed a police report against his brother, leading to Oliver’s arrest. Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the arrest but stated that neither the stolen cattle nor the cash proceeds have been recovered.

According to Assistant Inspector Chinyoka, Weston had entrusted his herd of 22 cattle to David Goba (33) for care in June. Goba reportedly drove the cattle to a grazing area and left them unattended.

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It was then that Oliver allegedly drove seven of the animals – two cows, two heifers, two bulls, and an ox – to his kraal. He subsequently sold these to Jona Tsabasvi of Nyagato Village, Chief Katerere, Nyanga. An additional cow was reportedly sold to an unidentified buyer from Chapatarongo Village in Ruwangwe.

“The accused person was said to be raising money to settle a debt which was left by his mother to the traditional healer known as Sithole,” Assistant Inspector Chinyoka stated. “The complainant, on July 9, 2025, made a police report, and the accused person was arrested. Value stolen is US$4 000, and nothing was recovered.”