Monday, January 26, 2009

Zimbabwe lifted the ban on witchcraft in 2006


In July of 2006 Zimbabwe acknowledged that supernatural powers exist - but prohibited the use of magic to cause someone harm.

In 1899 it was made a crime to accuse someone of being a witch or wizard. They were aware of the witch hunts and prosecutions that had gone before in Europe and indeed were still in operation.


Zimbabweans, especially those who grew up in the rural areas were positive that witch craft existed.

Stories abound of people who have been bewitched by jealous workmates - from being made bald to being made very sick.

Many people resort to witch doctors to cure them and many fail - but some succeed.

Magic charms are worn round the neck and placed on doors and windows. They are buried around houses and at entrances to properties.

The witch doctors chant and burn mysterious substances to protect you, your home and property.

Does it work?

The Christian church in Zimbabwe has always believed that witchcraft exists, but it has been careful to establish the source of such supernatural powers.

"As Christians we've got to recognise that supernatural forces are good if they originate from God - now witchcraft is one of the things that originates from the Satanic world," says Reverend Roy Musasiwa who runs a theological college in the capital, Harare.

The Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act demands proof that a person has supernatural powers and that they are using them to harm others. This is difficult to prove.

I have on several occasions made use of witchdoctors to exorcise our home. Fight fire with fire is the old saying - if someone is trying to harm you and uses witchcraft then get witch craft to end the problem


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