Zimbabwe’s Harare — On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Natalie Mhandu, a well-known socialite and video personality who goes by the internet handles “Enchantress” or “Madame Stylist,” was allegedly invited to the Glen View Police Station and temporarily arrested after being accused of practicing witchcraft. The criminal complaint filed by two ladies who are thought to have been her old pals is the basis for the claimed crimes.Allegations Sparked by a Fallout
The claims seem to have their roots in a romantic relationship-related personal dispute. According to reports, the three women filed formal accusations under Section 98 of Zimbabwe’s Criminal Code, which deals with crimes involving witchcraft and wizardry, after they allegedly had a falling out over a man.
According to Section 98, anyone who commits acts typically associated with witchcraft with the aim to injure another person or give them the impression that they would be harmed could be punished with up to five years in prison, a fine, or possibly both.
How The Witchcraft Saga Started
The police report states that Natalie fired her domestic worker, which sparked the charges. The former maid allegedly told the two ladies that, in reaction to the fallout from the boyfriend, Mhandu had asked a sangoma in Mozambique for assistance in performing rituals meant to “fix” them.
When the former maid allegedly led the two women to a place at Pension Farm in Glen View where artefacts related to the ceremony were allegedly interred, the atmosphere became heated. Among these were a knife and a red cloth that were purportedly branded with the women’s names as emblems of the ritualistic activity.
Enchantress Denies The Accusations
A tape of an alleged phone call between Mhandu and one of the women leaked online as the accusations appeared. The speaker in the audio clip, who is thought to be Mhandu, vehemently refuted the accusations, saying that her ex-maid was making up stories to damage her name.
Mhandu was not obliged to stay in detention overnight, although authorities acknowledged that she had been invited for questioning. Because the allegations were considered “less serious,” she was released to her attorney’s custody and is anticipated to appear in court from their residences with the complainants if the matter goes to trial.
The Harare provincial police spokeswoman, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, said that the case is still being investigated and that more information will be made public when it is ready.
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The case has generated discussion and public interest in Zimbabwe’s handling of accusations of witchcraft, a topic that cuts beyond legal systems, cultural norms, and private conflicts. The Criminal Code’s Section 98 highlights the gravity of such accusations while also stressing the necessity of unambiguous proof, especially in cases when the accusations are the result of personal disputes rather than more general social issues.
Prominent in Zimbabwe’s fashion and entertainment industries and well-known for her business endeavours, such as Enchantress Aesthetics, Natalie Mhandu is currently facing a circumstance that could have a big effect on her reputation and personal brand.
