Socialite in Court for Alleged Witchcraft

Socialite in Court for Alleged Witchcraft7 August 2025

Socialite in Court for Alleged Witchcraft

Socialite in Court for Alleged Witchcraft

By A Correspondent | ZimEye | Personal stylist and social media influencer Melody Natasha Mhandu (34) appeared before a Mbare magistrate on Thursday, accused of casting a spell on her former friend, Tatenda Butau Mhandu was charged with engaging in practices associated with witchcraft under Section 98(i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act She was released unconditionally after a brief court appearance Prosecutors allege that on August 4, at Churu Farm, Mhandu performed a ritual involving Butau’s name, a red cloth, a knife, and snuff powder, which she allegedly buried under a muhacha tree with the help of a traditional healer, Christine Matashu, also known as “Manjenje.”

The case was reported after Mhandu’s former maid, Elizabeth Mhahire, claimed she had accompanied her to visit Manjenje

Mhahire told the court she later found snuff powder in Mhandu’s room and bathroom When she confronted Mhandu, the two argued, and the maid quit Mhahire later informed Butau about the alleged spell Butau, accompanied by her boyfriend and the maid, went to the site and dug up the knife and cloth before confronting Mhandu

A police report was then made Mhandu, however, denies all allegations “She will deny having wrapped any red cloth with a dagger and snuff powder and burying it underground as alleged, or at all.”

“She will deny having any intention to harm or realising the real risk or possibility of harming any person as alleged, or at all She will tell the court that she does not know any ritualist by whatever name

She never visited any, either alone or with any other person, as alleged or at all She did not cast any spell on anyone as alleged or at all,” said her lawyers She also dismissed the charges as “a malicious fabrication of a vindictive former maid who is manipulating the current bad blood between the accused and the complainant.”

Mhandu further argued the case is a smear campaign “She will also state that the allegations against her do not amount to any practice associated with witchcraft… They are only meant as a public show for the purposes of causing embarrassment and humiliation,” said her lawyers

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Source: ZimEye