Mystery Blood Pot Buried by Healer Sparks Family Feud in Mutasa

A traditional healer is at the centre of a disturbing dispute in Mutasa District after allegedly planting a clay pot filled with blood at the homestead of a village head, sparking accusations of foul play and spiritual manipulation.

The conflict, which unfolded before Chief Mutasa’s community court last Saturday, involves Phillip Mudondo, the village head, and a healer known locally as Nyamagoromondo.

Mudondo claims the healer stayed at his home for three months under the pretext of assisting villagers, but instead used the opportunity to perform rituals without his consent.

“He arrived claiming he was en route to Village Seven to assist someone. But upon returning, he said my homestead needed protection from witches.

“He requested a clay pot, filled it with blood, and planted it at the gate without my consent,” Mudondo testified.

The controversy escalated following the death of Mudondo’s brother, Davison, which some villagers suspect may be linked to the rituals.

Mudondo denied any involvement in his brother’s death.

“I never asked him to kill my brother. I accommodated him because he claimed to be in need of a place to stay. Later, he performed rituals, arguing that my home required strengthening, but this had no connection to Davison,” he said.

Nyamagoromondo, who did not attend the hearing in person, responded virtually, defending his actions and insisting that Mudondo had requested his intervention.

“I stayed at his homestead for three months at his invitation, saying I would assist villagers.

“Later, he confessed that his brother was causing misfortune in his family and asked me to intervene. I provided him with charms to address the issue, but I did not kill anyone,” said Nyamagoromondo.

He also claimed Mudondo had not paid him for his services.

“This matter should be handled at my shrine, not in court. He owes me payment, which he is still to settle,” he added.

The courtroom was filled with murmurs as villagers reacted to the conflicting testimonies, according to ManicaPost.

Chief Mutasa expressed concern over the healer’s prolonged stay and the implications of blood rituals conducted without clear agreement.

“This is a grave matter, affecting both the family’s safety and the community’s peace. The planting of a clay pot with blood at the homestead cannot be taken lightly,” said Chief Mutasa.

He reprimanded Mudondo for allowing rituals he did not understand to take place at his home.

“As a village head, you allowed a stranger to stay at your homestead for months, performing rituals you did not comprehend. That was recklessness on your part,” he said.

Chief Mutasa warned against seeking spiritual shortcuts to resolve family disputes, especially when death is involved.

“Matters of family disputes, jealousy, or bad luck should never lead you to seek another person’s death. If you asked this man to deal with your brother, even if you deny it now, that decision has brought trouble to your household.

“These are not small matters. Death is irreversible, and rituals involving blood are dangerous. I urge you never to go this route again,” he said.

He ordered that the clay pot be returned to the healer for proper removal, warning that leaving it at the homestead could invite misfortune.

“The blood belongs to the traditional healer. You must take the clay pot back to him and allow him to remove it from your homestead.

“Matters of this nature should always be handled carefully, not left to rot at your doorstep,” said Chief Mutasa.

He also emphasized the need to respect cultural practices without abusing them.

“Traditional healing is part of our heritage, but it must be done properly. A n’anga cannot plant things at someone’s home without their full consent.

“And a village head should never invite people who deal with blood rituals to stay at his homestead. This confuses the community and damages trust,” he said.

Mudondo agreed to comply with the directive but expressed regret over the ordeal.

“We will take the clay pot to him. But this situation has taught me a lesson. He tricked me into believing that he was solidifying my home, and now we have to follow his instructions,” said Mudondo.