Zimbabwean Woman Arrested for Using Tortoise in Alleged Black Magic Threat Over Unpaid Salary

 In an unusual and disturbing incident in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe, a 58-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly using a live tortoise to threaten her Human Resources (HR) manager with black magic in an effort to secure her unpaid wages.

The woman, identified as Sithembiso Budzirikawa, reportedly turned to this unconventional method after multiple attempts to receive her overdue salary were ignored. The incident, which occurred on August 21, 2024, saw Budzirikawa visit Chabwino Farm to acquire the tortoise before heading to her workplace.

Upon arriving at the company, Budzirikawa confronted the HR manager and demanded her salary. When the manager refused, she escalated the situation by revealing the tortoise, which had been covered in red floor polish and wrapped in a red cloth with needles tied around it. She then allegedly threatened the manager with black magic if her demands were not met.

The HR manager, alarmed by the threat, reported the incident to the police. Officers arrived at the scene and requested a permit for the tortoise, which Budzirikawa could not provide. As a result, she was arrested under the Parks and Wildlife Act for the unlawful possession of a live tortoise.

Budzirikawa was subsequently brought before the Harare Magistrates' Court, where she was found guilty of the charges. The court ordered her to pay a fine of US$300 or face 30 days in prison if the fine was not paid.