Tendai Muererwa
Mutare – A 22 year old traditional healer from Uzumba has been fined US$150 for illegal possession of two venomous snakes, which he claimed were used in his traditional healing rituals.
Gift Kanodeweta appeared before Magistrate Honest Musiiwa facing charges of contravening Section 5(1)(b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act [Chapter 20:14] for unlawfully removing and possessing protected wildlife.
The complainant in the matter was Paradzayi Clever, of Federation Chikanga Mutare. According to court papers, Kanodeweta first met the complainant in 2024 after offering him traditional healing services for a fee of US$60. The complainant was allegedly dissatisfied with the services rendered, claiming he had been short-changed and the accused subsequently left.
On June 26 2026, Kanodeweta who was carrying a black satchel approached the complainant at his place of residence in Federation Chikanga. After meeting him the complainant took Kanodeweta to his shrine. Believing that the accused was using snakes to deceive unsuspecting people seeking spiritual assistance the complainant discreetly alerted ZRP Chikanga officers to conduct a search.
Police officers responded and searched Kanodeweta and his satchel, recovering two live snakes—a puff adder measuring about one metre and a cobra measuring approximately 1.2 metres. Officials from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) attended the scene, took custody of the reptiles and listed them as exhibits.
An ecological assessment submitted to the court stated that the offence posed a serious risk to residents because both snake species are highly venomous. It further noted that the unlawful removal and possession of wildlife threatens biodiversity, disrupts ecological balance, undermines conservation efforts and weakens enforcement of wildlife protection laws.
In mitigation, Kanodeweta pleaded for mercy, telling the court that he is only a traditional healer and uses the snakes during traditional rituals, particularly for artisanal miners who seek spiritual help to improve their mining fortunes.
Magistrate Honest Musiiwa sentenced Kanodeweta to a US$150 fine, with three months’ imprisonment in default of payment. The court also ordered that the two snakes be handed over to ZimParks for safekeeping.
The State was represented by Brighton Garikai Chiromo.
