Witchcraft Fears Grip Chief Neromwe After Lightning Victim’s Grave is Dug Up
Residents of Mangoya, under Chief Neromwe in Chiredzi in Masvingo province, were left distressed after a woman’s grave was found open, with the coffin exposed and some of the belongings buried with her missing. Police identified the grave as belonging to Chenai Mahusane, who died after being struck by a mysterious bolt of lightning in October 2025 and was buried on October 18. The desecration was discovered on September 24, 2026, nearly a year after her burial.
The discovery was made by 36-year-old Netsai Mahusane at approximately 10:00 AM while she was herding cattle near her home. Upon passing the grave site in Village 21, Ward 29, she noticed the earth had been disturbed and immediately alerted local elders and headman Obert Mushayi Madzivadondo, 74. The matter was subsequently reported to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Chiredzi.
Upon arrival, police found that the grave, located about 100 metres from the family homestead, had been excavated to its base. The top of the coffin had been prised open, leaving the deceased’s head visible. While the body remained inside, its position appeared to have been altered. Furthermore, a bag containing clothes buried with Chenai — in accordance with local customs for lightning victims — was missing, though some clothes were found scattered inside the pit. Logs and iron sheets used to cover the coffin were found discarded outside the grave, and officers observed footprints surrounding the site.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the investigation, noting the specific timeline of the events. “Our police are investigating a case involving a grave found dug up on September 24 this year. The grave belonged to a woman named Chenai Mahusane, who died after being struck by lightning in October last year,” Insp Dhewa stated, adding that the alarm was raised by Netsai Mahusane after she encountered the “omen” while tending her cattle.
The incident has deeply unsettled Chief Neromwe (born Clemence Madzingo), who noted that he had never encountered such a case in his jurisdiction. The Chief expressed concern over the circumstances of Chenai’s original death, noting she had been struck by lightning on a clear day with only light rain. “A year after her burial, her grave was found dug all the way down to the coffin. This happened around the same dates she passed away,” the Chief remarked. “This is a true omen in my area; I have never seen anything like it.”
Chief Neromwe suggested that the desecration might be linked to rituals intended to “suppress” the spirit of the deceased, a practice known as kutsipika. “We strongly suspect that the people who dug up this grave are related to the deceased,” he added, noting that he planned to personally visit the site and had been delayed in receiving the report from the local headman.
Following the police recommendation to reseal the grave, the Chief announced plans to summon the family after the sacred month of November (Mbudzi) has passed. He intends to consult traditional healers (sangomas) or prophets to understand the “evil handiwork” and ensure that full traditional rites are performed to restore peace to the community and the family.
The incident has drawn commentary from religious and traditional leaders. Pastor Hazvinei Muchefa of RECFEMI Ministries stated the event bore strong hallmarks of witchcraft, while Sekuru Kanengo (Jimson Nyasala) warned that the family must act quickly to establish what happened to the remains to avoid further tragedy or death within the lineage.
This case echoes a similar disturbance in Nyamajura, Odzi, in September 2025, where the grave of 98-year-old Mbuya Irene John Beseni was found open with her body moved outside the coffin. While the circumstances differ slightly, both incidents have left their respective communities searching for answers. In Mangoya, the investigation continues as the family and local elders prepare for the difficult task of restoring the grave and performing the necessary spiritual rites.