Elderly Woman Forced to Live in the Forest After Being Accused of Witchcraft by Her Children
Elderly Woman Forced to Live in the Forest After Being Accused of Witchcraft by Her Children – An 80-year-old woman from Murehwa is living in the forest after being accused of witchcraft by some of her own children, leaving her homeless and without family support.
Venna Bobo Kanyemba, originally from Mozambique, now survives by wandering from place to place after being rejected by relatives who accuse her of practising witchcraft. She has no permanent shelter and currently stays in a makeshift grass hut located on church land in the old Murehwa area.
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Mrs Kanyemba had six children, two of whom have since died, leaving her with four surviving children. Two of them have reportedly disowned her, claiming she is a witch and refusing to assist her in any way.
She says the temporary structure she was given offers little protection from the rain, leaving her clothes and blankets constantly soaked. The damp conditions have worsened her health, causing persistent body pains.
“I came to Zimbabwe from Mozambique and later married a Malawian man. We worked in farms and yards until 1980, when our employers left the country,” she said.
After her husband’s death in 2010, the family was left without a home. She said life became even more difficult after losing two of her children.
“My eldest daughter is in South Africa and my son works in Mbare, but they refuse to see me. They accuse me of witchcraft and say I have goblins,” she said.
Mrs Kanyemba added that although one of her daughters is married in Murehwa, she is unable to offer much support due to financial challenges.
She once sought help from relatives in Zvimba, her maternal home, but was not allocated land to build a house, forcing her to continue wandering.
Her daughter, Jane Nyoni (40), who lives with her, said she does not believe the witchcraft allegations and has chosen to remain by her mother’s side despite facing similar accusations herself.
“People say my mother is a witch, and they also accuse me of working with her. I do not believe that, and I will not abandon her,” she said.
Another daughter, Stella Nyoni (49), said she tries to help when possible but faces financial limitations as her husband is unemployed.
A church leader, Janet Tsakurani, also known as Madzimai Beaulla, said the church offered temporary shelter after noticing the elderly woman and her daughter roaming without a home.
“They will stay here until a permanent solution is found,” she said.
Mrs Kanyemba’s wish is to be allocated land where she can build a small home and live out her remaining years in dignity
