Zaka – A chilling narrative of fear and unexplained deaths has gripped the village of Chief Chanhanga, near Chinorumba, in Zaka, Masvingo, as a family grapples with what they believe to be a relentless curse of witchcraft. The Tanamai family’s ordeal, marked by the tragic loss of two children to what they describe as mysterious, invisible assailants, casts a stark light on the enduring belief in supernatural forces in rural Zimbabwe and the devastating impact it has on communities.
The family’s patriarch, Joseph Tanamai (48), recounts a harrowing sequence of events that began late last year, culminating in the death of his 13-year-old daughter, Blessing Tanamai. Her passing in December followed a terrifying ordeal where she reportedly ran screaming, claiming to be attacked by three women pelting her with stones and carrying spears. This tragic incident mirrored an earlier, equally inexplicable death within the family, leaving them in profound shock and despair.
“The unfavourable situation started at the end of last year, in December, when our son Blessing Tanamai was at home with his mother. He reportedly came from school saying that there were three women, one wearing a helmet, chasing him with stones, wanting to hit him. This continued for days, and the child even got to the point of locking himself in the house out of fear,” Mr. Tanamai revealed, his voice heavy with grief. The attacks escalated, with his son later claiming one of the women entered their home with a spear, throwing it at him, only for it to strike another of the spectral figures.
Desperate for a cure, Mr. Tanamai, who had travelled from Harare, saw his son taken to Jerera Satellite Clinic and then Musiso Hospital. Despite the efforts of doctors, the boy’s condition did not improve. “We were then told to try taking him to traditional healers, where we were told that we had been targeted long ago,” he explained. During his son’s hospitalisation, these mysterious women reportedly continued to appear, with prophets and traditional healers identifying them as witches pursuing the child even into the medical facility. The young boy tragically passed away at Musiso Hospital on December 8 last year, and was laid to rest two days later.
The family’s anguish did not end with the burial. Mr. Tanamai described unsettling rituals performed by close relatives during the mourning period. “It is true that the child is said to have been killed because he was very bright at the school he attended. Some relatives started performing ‘manjuzu’ rituals, where traditional beer was bought, which was drunk in the courtyard and at the grave, including snuff tobacco, which they said was to awaken the spirit of the deceased,” he stated. Further adding to their distress, the boy’s grave was reportedly found dug up after the burial. These compounding pressures led to a painful rift between Mr. Tanamai and his wife, Mrs. Joice Mathuwa (46), resulting in their divorce. Mrs. Mathuwa subsequently returned to her home in Rusape, while Mr. Tanamai moved to Harare with his remaining children.
However, the family’s torment appears to have followed them. The youngest daughter, now five years old, is experiencing similar disturbing episodes. “This child says that there are women following her, asking her why she came to Harare, and saying that we should go back home. The child then starts screaming, saying she sees these people. This is now making us fear that the witches who killed the older boy have followed us here to Hopley, in Harare, where we live,” Mr. Tanamai recounted, his voice laced with renewed terror. The family plans to place a tombstone on their deceased son’s grave in August this year, a poignant reminder of their enduring loss and the unresolved mystery surrounding his death. Mr. Tanamai also spoke of seeing the ghost of his deceased son in the house where he died, a few days after his passing, further deepening the family’s sense of unease and fear for his youngest daughter’s safety.
The Shadow of Witchcraft in Zimbabwe
The Tanamai family’s story is not an isolated incident but rather a tragic illustration of the pervasive belief in witchcraft and supernatural phenomena that continues to shape lives and communities across Zimbabwe. The concept of ‘ondofa’, or goblins, often described as malevolent entities controlled by witches or wizards, frequently surfaces in reports of mysterious illnesses, deaths, and misfortunes. These beliefs, deeply embedded in traditional Shona culture, often lead to accusations, social ostracisation, and, in extreme cases, violence.
Traditional expert Gogo Shumba, from Harare, offered her perspective on the Tanamai family’s plight, suggesting they might be targets of malicious gossip manifesting through witchcraft. She emphasised the urgent need for intervention and assistance for the family, highlighting the serious nature of such accusations within the cultural context.
Related Incidents: A Disturbing Pattern
The Tanamai family’s experience resonates with other recent reports of alleged goblin attacks and witchcraft-related incidents that have caused widespread alarm in Zimbabwe:
Epworth’s Goblin Curse: In October 2025, a family in the Overspill area of Epworth reported living in terror due to ‘ondofa’ attacking young women and girls, leading to mysterious deaths and pervasive fear. The Malawi-born Nota family, having lost multiple members over the years, described a cycle of misfortune, sexual abuse by invisible forces, and unexplained deaths. Agnes Nota (54), a daughter in the family, stated, “We were 12 but now we are seven. People die young, one after another. This trouble has affected husbands, grandchildren and has created a cycle of fear and witchcraft in the family.” The family also reported finding a strange multicoloured ribbon on their father’s grave, believed to be linked to the attacks. Loveness Nota (41), another family member, spoke of a personal curse, having lost three husbands and being abandoned by two others, leading to men fearing to approach her. The family’s plea for urgent help underscores the profound impact of these beliefs on daily life and well-being.
Binga School Learners Attacked: In March 2026, reports emerged from Binga of school learners being attacked by alleged goblins. At Sikajaya Muntanga Primary School, a wave of unexplained incidents left the rural community gripped by fear. Learners reportedly collapsed in class, screaming and fleeing, exhibiting strange and alarming behaviours. Edson Masungo, Binga district schools inspector, confirmed these disturbing reports, expressing deep concern over the safety and well-being of the students. These incidents highlight how such beliefs can disrupt essential services like education and create a climate of fear within institutions.
Tsholotsho School Closure: A particularly alarming incident occurred in Tsholotsho, where Dlakapiya Primary School failed to open after teachers reportedly fled due to alleged attacks, primarily sexual in nature, attributed to goblins. This drastic measure underscores the severity with which these claims are taken and the real-world consequences they entail, leading to the complete disruption of schooling for children in the affected area.
These incidents, alongside numerous others reported across the country, paint a grim picture of communities struggling with deeply ingrained beliefs in witchcraft and the tangible fear they generate. The legal framework in Zimbabwe, while not explicitly recognising witchcraft, often sees cases involving such accusations brought before traditional courts, where customary law and beliefs hold significant sway. However, the lack of clear legal recourse for victims of alleged supernatural attacks often leaves families like the Tanamais in a state of vulnerability and despair.
The Search for Answers and Safety
The Tanamai family’s ongoing ordeal in Zaka is a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between traditional beliefs, unexplained phenomena, and the desperate search for safety and understanding. Their move to Harare, a bustling urban centre, was an attempt to escape the perceived curse, yet the alleged continuation of the attacks on their youngest daughter suggests a deep-seated fear that transcends geographical boundaries. The family’s planned placement of a tombstone for their deceased son in August is not merely an act of remembrance but also a symbolic gesture of their enduring struggle against unseen forces.
The tragic loss of Blessing Tanamai and her brother, coupled with the ongoing distress of their youngest sibling, calls for a multifaceted approach to address such deeply sensitive issues. While traditional healers and spiritual leaders play a significant role in communities grappling with these beliefs, there is also a critical need for support systems that can offer psychological, social, and, where appropriate, legal assistance to affected families. The fear of witchcraft, whether rooted in genuine supernatural occurrences or socio-psychological factors, has profound and devastating consequences on individuals and the fabric of society.
The story of the Tanamai family is a powerful testament to the enduring power of belief and the urgent need for compassion and understanding in the face of the inexplicable. As they prepare to honour their lost son, the shadow of the mysterious women and their alleged witchcraft continues to loom large, leaving a community to ponder the boundaries between the seen and the unseen, and the profound impact of fear on human lives.