IN a suspected case of witchcraft, a middle-agedwoman allegedly flew on a winnowing basket and landed in Masvingo’s Rujeko suburb while naked leaving residents who were going to the market place scurrying for cover.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero confirmed the incident that happened last Saturday morning but was quick to point out that the woman was not a witch.
“Yes, I can confirm that such an incident happened and police attended the scene. However, we realised that the woman in question had a mental problem and has since been taken by her relatives,” said Insp Zhanero.
Sources close to the story said the woman was seen naked at around 5 am near Rujeko Police Base by women who were going to the market place after having flown from Gokwe.
“The woman allegedly landed in Rujeko after having flown from Gokwe. The incident was a huge spectacle as a lot of residents wanted to get a glimpse of the uninvited guest,” said a resident.
It is alleged the woman was aboard a winnowing basket but her mysterious transport developed a problem.
“The woman who was said to be flying on a winnowing basket allegedly lost control of the mysterious plane and landed near the police base. I also went to have a glimpse of the suspected witch who was stark naked and had smeared white-powder like ashes on her face. It was like a dream and many people were shocked,” said another resident.
Police at Rujeko said the woman was sitting at Rujeko Shopping Centre while naked thereby raising suspicion that she was a witch.
“At first the woman behaved awkwardly that we also suspected that she could be a witch. She was just wondering at the shopping centre while naked but we latter realised that she had a mental problem and her relatives quickly took her. The woman was, however, helped by a good Samaritan,” police said.