A Zimbabwe court has remanded two women facing witchcraft charges.
The women were caught stark naked at a Harare high density suburb in the early Wednesday morning.
They were found in possession of two winnowing baskets containing an owl, decorated beads and animal skins and other ‘witchcraft related items.’
They were found in possession of two winnowing baskets containing an owl, decorated beads and animal skins and other ‘witchcraft related items.’
Chipo Chikaja (26) and her aunt Maria Moyo from a rural area outside Harare said they did not know how they found themselves in the capital.
“I had super yesterday at my homestead and retired to bed around 8 pm,” Moyo told the court on Wednesday.
“I recall having a dream in company of four people whose whereabouts I do not know.
WINNOWING BASKETS
“We were with Chiedza who was complaining that if we delayed, she would find her daughter-in-law in Harare gone to have her ailing child attended to by some apostolic sects.”
Chikaja said she was also surprised to find herself naked in a winnowing basket.
There is a belief in Zimbabwe that witches and wizards use winnowing baskets to fly for their nocturnal activities.
“I remember eating super yesterday but as to how we got here I do not know,” she said.
Moyo said they were in a group of six and were flying in the baskets when they fell at an apostolic sect shrine in Harare.
The two were forced to carry their baskets to court, which were used as evidence, as prison officers were not brave in to carry the baskets.
Magistrate Reuben Mukavhi ordered the two to undergo mental examination and the report be presented to court on September 26.
“It appears both of you have mental problems, you have left me with no doubt but to alter your pleas to not guilty such that you can have medical examination,” Mr Mukavhi said before sending the women to remand prison.
