Elisha Sukumidzai, a 29-year-old man currently residing in Epworth but originally from Chief Beta’s area in Bikita, has come forward with a harrowing tale of misfortune, claiming his life has been plagued by a series of bizarre and unsettling events since childhood.
Sukumidzai believes the root of his troubles lies in accepting clothes that once belonged to a sick relative, garments he alleges were first subjected to traditional rituals by a n’anga (traditional healer).
Speaking tearfully to the news crew, Sukumidzai recounted the ordeal that he believes set his life on its current, troubled course. “Close relatives in our family took the patient and were told to take their clothes to this traditional healer, which they did. These clothes were reportedly used to treat the patient, who then recovered. People returned with these clothes home, and they were given to me to wear,” he explained.
Sukumidzai, one of four children, with both parents still alive, says his troubles began in 2014. He recalls that some of his uncles suffered from mental illness, prompting the family to seek help from a traditional healer in Chipinge. As part of the healing process, the family was instructed to bring the ill relative’s clothing, and young Elisha was taken along.
He says as a young boy, he was unaware of the implications and felt powerless to refuse. “These uncles, since they came back from the traditional healer, were no longer sick. They arrived at our house where only my mother and I were, and they handed me their clothes. Then they said they were tired of this illness and wanted it to go to someone else. As a child, I couldn’t object, even though my mother was there, she remained silent, fearing these uncles,” Sukumidzai stated.
The clothes were left with him, and Sukumidzai says his mother, concerned, sought the counsel of a prophet. “My mother then took the clothes and we went with them to another prophet, where it became clear that the spirit of this illness had been transferred to me. This prophet then burned all these clothes and we were given blessings to use at home,” he explained.
However, the burning of the clothes did not bring an end to Sukumidzai’s woes. He claims that shortly after this incident, he began experiencing disturbing dreams and waking-life hallucinations. “The week I was given these clothes, which were later burned, I started dreaming of a very beautiful girl coming to me and having sex with me, and I also dream of chickens or dogs having sex with me,” he revealed.
The disturbing visions extended into his waking hours. “Even in broad daylight, I get dizzy and then see a hen and a rooster chasing each other and having sex in front of him, or sees dogs starting to have sex in front of him,” Sukumidzai added.
These problems, Sukumidzai says, led to physical ailments. “This problem continued until I got sick and one of my testicles on the left side swelled up and was removed by doctors at Silveira Mission Hospital. I eventually got married and had one child with my wife,” Sukumidzai explained.
His marital life, too, has been marred by misfortune. Sukumidzai, who married in 2023, claims his wife was tormented by nocturnal visitations. “My wife then started being visited by men in the house having sex with her all night, and because of this problem, my wife ran away and went back to her home,” he said, adding that his wife left him at the beginning of 2026.
Now single, Sukumidzai laments his inability to form lasting relationships. “The big problem I have is that no girl I propose to loves me, the wife I had married was taken from me through witchcraft. If I approach a girl, she runs away as if she is seeing a lion or some other beast, wherever I go I am said to have been put under a shadow,” he said, his voice laced with despair.
Adding to his troubles, Sukumidzai says he struggles financially, despite working hard. “In the jobs I do, I make money but don’t see where it goes, even though I don’t drink alcohol,” he said.
Desperate for help, Sukumidzai has turned to his family, but feels unsupported. “My relatives and parents know my problem but no one is taking the lead, I am tired and I need help from those who can,” he pleaded.
Gogo Shumba, a Harare-based traditional expert, offered a possible explanation for Sukumidzai’s plight. “The woman he sees coming to him is a goblin (chikwambo) that was put on him, or he was made a husband of an avenging spirit (ngozi), and therefore he needs help,” she said, suggesting that Sukumidzai may be afflicted by what is known in Shona culture as “mbereka,” or a “spirit husband.”
Sukumidzai hopes that by sharing his story, he can find someone who can offer him the help he desperately needs to break free from the curse he believes has been placed upon him.
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