Neighbours Clash Over Bath Water Snatch — Witchcraft Allegations Rock Penhalonga

A bizarre dispute over a bucket of used bath water has erupted between two neighbours in Penhalonga’s Redwing Mine area, sparking witchcraft accusations and drawing a large crowd to Chief Mutasa’s community court.

The feud involves Tambudzai Charachimwe and Prisca Nhinga, who live in close proximity.

Charachimwe accuses Nhinga of confiscating her dirty bath water for suspected witchcraft purposes — a move she describes as humiliating and malicious.

According to Charachimwe, the incident occurred early one morning as she prepared to attend a funeral.

After bathing, she instructed her child to dispose of the water outside, as was their usual practice.

But she alleges that Nhinga intercepted the water and took it into her house.

“When my child returned, she told me that Nhinga had scooped some of the bath water into a bottle and taken it inside. I confronted her, and she admitted it.

“Later, she threw the water back at us in front of witnesses,” Charachimwe testified.

She added that Nhinga’s husband mocked her when she raised the issue.

“What pains me most is that she didn’t just take the water quietly — she used it to embarrass me in front of the whole community. If her stall was being defiled, why keep the water in a bottle and then throw it back at us?” she asked.

Charachimwe further argued that her family had always used the open space to dispose of water long before Nhinga set up her vending stall nearby.

“She only started selling there after I reported her actions.

“Now she wants to twist the story and make it look like I’m the one bewitching her,” she insisted.

In her defence, Nhinga admitted taking the water but rejected any suggestion of malice.

She explained that her concern was hygiene, since her vending stall was located where the water was being discarded.

“I run a vending stall at my home, and the spot where they throw their bath water is exactly where I sell my goods. That day, I scooped some of it to take to a spiritual healer — I needed to know if someone was trying to harm me or my business,” Nhinga explained.

She maintained that her actions were driven by genuine concern.

“I didn’t take the water for fun. People here know that dirty water can be used for witchcraft. I needed answers.

“As a mother and vendor, I have to protect my livelihood. If I don’t stand up for myself, who will?” she said.

Nhinga also dismissed claims that she intended to shame her neighbour.

“I never meant to humiliate her. I just wanted proof. If they were innocent, the healer would have confirmed it. I only reacted after she came shouting at me in front of everyone,” she argued.

Presiding over the matter, Chief Mutasa rebuked both women and ordered their husbands to appear in court to help resolve the dispute.

“You cannot be bragging about witchcraft here. If you want to brag, brag about money or progress — not witchcraft.

“Taking water that someone has bathed in is like taking water used to wash a corpse or soil someone has stepped on. The intention is always malicious,” the chief warned.

He further cautioned that such actions fuel fear and mistrust within communities.

“Today it’s dirty water, tomorrow it will be soil, hair, or clothes. This is how communities are torn apart. Witchcraft allegations are not trivial — they destroy families and reputations,” Chief Mutasa said.

The matter was adjourned to a later date, with both women instructed to return with their spouses for final resolution.

— ManicaPost