Goblin Debt Leads Nyanga Man to Steal Brother’s Cattle
A debt tied to an alleged goblin deal has landed a 61-year-old Nyanga man behind bars after he was arrested and charged with stock theft for allegedly stealing seven cattle worth US$4,000.
The stolen livestock belonged to his younger brother and was reportedly sold to repay a spiritual debt left by their late mother.
Investigators say Oliver Sedze sold seven animals—two cows, two heifers, two bulls, and an ox from a herd owned by his brother Weston Sedze, who lives in Harare.
The money was allegedly paid to sangoma Sekuru Matthias Sithole, a controversial traditional healer known for claiming he can summon goblins that bring clients wealth.
The brothers’ late mother, Anna Sedze, had reportedly engaged Sithole’s services but died before fulfilling her financial obligations.
Acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said Sedze was trying to raise money to settle the debt left by his mother.
“Accused person was said to be raising money to settle a debt which was left by his mother to the traditional healer known as Sithole.
“The complainant, on July 9, 2025, made a police report, and the accused person was arrested. Value stolen is US$4,000, and nothing was recovered,” he said.
Police say Weston had entrusted his herd of 22 cattle to 33-year-old caretaker David Goba in June.
Goba had driven the herd to a grazing area in Nyanga but left the beasts unattended. During this window, Oliver allegedly took seven cattle from the herd and drove them to his kraal.
Oliver reportedly sold six cattle to Jona Tsabasvi of Nyagato Village under Chief Katerere in Nyanga. One cow was sold to an unidentified buyer from Chapatarongo Village in Ruwangwe.
According to H-Metro, sangoma Sithole is known for making bold claims about providing wealth-enhancing goblins. His practices have stirred controversy across communities, with families reportedly facing disputes and pressure over unpaid spiritual debts.
Police say investigations are ongoing, but none of the stolen cattle or cash proceeds have been recovered.
The incident has raised broader questions about the legal consequences of spiritual obligations within traditional communities.
