A disturbing family dispute has landed before Chief Mutasa’s community court, where a local woman, Mbuya Zuze, accused her brother-in-law and his sons of forcibly shaving her son’s head for alleged ritual purposes.

The incident, which she claims triggered her son’s sudden illness, has sparked emotional testimony and raised serious concerns about spiritual practices and domestic safety.

According to Mbuya Zuze, her son Kudakwashe became seriously ill after visiting her brother-in-law Ben’s homestead.

She alleges that during the visit, her son was assaulted, stripped naked, and had his hair cut without consent.

“It all started when my brother-in-law, Ben, called my son, Kuda and me to visit him. I went there and after I told them that I was leaving, he asked Kuda to remain behind, so I left them.

“However, I was later told that my son was being assaulted and when I went there, my son was naked and his hair had been cut,” she told the court.

She further claimed that she was also attacked during the confrontation.

“They assaulted me, sprinkling beer and snuff all over my body.

“I demanded my son’s hair, but they stripped me naked”, she said.

Mbuya Zuze believes the hair was used for spiritual purposes and insists her son’s health has deteriorated ever since.

“They dumped some of the hair near the road, but I know they did not throw away all of it. My child is now bedridden, and they are refusing to give me his hair,” she said.

The situation worsened when her nephew, Nicholas, allegedly claimed to be possessed by an ancestral spirit named Chigwanda.

“To this day, I have no peace with Nicholas. He claims to be manifesting and assaults me. I have abandoned my homestead because of this. I am no longer safe,” she added.

The case, reported by ManicaPost, sparked heated exchanges in the courtroom.

Ben defended their actions, saying they were following instructions given by Nicholas during what they believed was a spiritual manifestation.

“Nicholas said since we were supposed to come back to the court for feedback, Kuda and Ben were not supposed to come with unkempt hair.

“We followed the instructions because we all know that it is an ancestral spirit of the Manunure Clan manifesting on him,” he said.

Ben admitted that violence occurred but distanced himself from the assaults, blaming Nicholas.

“It was Nicholas who assaulted everyone, including his aunt. I do not know which spirit possesses him because sometimes he claims to be Manunure, sometimes Chigwanda and sometimes he claims he is our father, Zuze.

“He even told us that we are not members of the Zuze family, but the Chigwanda family, and that originally we are from Malawi. I am now confused and do not know what to do,” he said.

The court also heard that Nicholas had burned clothes, declaring them satanic.

“He burnt our old clothes and even called the new ones satanic. He behaves as if he is in control of us all,” Ben added.

Despite the conflicting accounts, Mbuya Zuze remained firm in her demand for justice.

“I want my son’s hair back. Ever since they cut it, he has been sickly, and I know it is because of what they did. Nicholas is tormenting me daily and continues to threaten me.

“I will not rest until I get my son’s hair back. I know they still have it and am begging this court to help me, as I am living in fear of my relatives,” she said.

Chief Mutasa acknowledged the complexity of the case and ruled that the matter required spiritual verification.

“What is clear is that Nicholas claims to be possessed by different spirits, and his actions are dividing the family and causing suffering. The family must consult traditional healers to determine what is happening.

“This matter cannot be solved here alone — it needs spiritual guidance and cleansing,” he said.

He ordered the family to seek help together and return with answers.

“You cannot continue fighting without answers.

Go and consult together, and bring back the results so the truth may be known,” Chief Mutasa ruled.