Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana has ignited a fierce national debate with his dismissive remarks on witchcraft allegations against socialite Natalie “Enchantress” Mhandu. Mangwana described the claims as “mere hocus pocus and occult gibberish” on his verified X account, suggesting he views the allegations as lacking legal or rational credibility. Mhandu had been taken to court by former friends who accused her of using traditional rituals to bewitch them following a personal fallout.

The case against Mhandu unfolded at Mbare Magistrates Court, where she was released unconditionally after facing charges under Section 98 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. According to the allegations, Mhandu allegedly buried a red cloth inscribed with names, wrapped around a knife and sprinkled with snuff powder, under a muhacha tree as part of a ritual intended to harm her former friends. Mhandu denies the allegations, calling them a “malicious fabrication” by a bitter ex-employee.

Mangwana’s comments have sparked a wave of reactions online, with Zimbabweans divided over whether his remarks dismissed cultural beliefs too easily or rightly called out superstition. The controversy highlights the complexities of navigating traditional beliefs within modern legal frameworks in Zimbabwe, where witchcraft is a sensitive and multifaceted issue.

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