AN avenging spirit reportedly interrupted proceedings at Chief Mutasa’s traditional court, demanding 80 head of cattle from a local man convicted of murder.
The spirit insisted that the compensation was necessary for the deceased to find peace and for the grieving family to have closure.
The unusual case began when Moses Saunyama, who served a prison sentence after being convicted of murdering Robert Masasa in 2016, appeared before the traditional court seeking readmission into the community.
Saunyama said although he had completed his sentence, he was struggling to reintegrate into society because the Masasa family refused to forgive him despite repeated attempts at reconciliation.
The proceedings took a dramatic turn when a spirit, purportedly that of the late Masasa, manifested through the deceased’s brother and demanded restitution.
The spirit said it could not rest as the family it had left behind had been shattered.
“My homestead is now deserted,” the alleged spirit said.
“My three wives and six children have left . . . My spirit is roaming. I need to rest and will only find peace when my family is reunited. My parents are still grieving.”
The spirit initially demanded 80 cattle from Saunyama, alleging that he had not fully disclosed the circumstances surrounding the murder.
“He should tell the truth about what happened. I want 80 cattle from Saunyama. He did not kill me alone; his brother, Paul Guta and Saunyama’s two wives, Memory and Martha, also took part in my death. I will pursue them as well.”
Chief Mutasa ruled that the initial demand was excessive, as Saunyama had already served time behind bars for the crime.
Following the chief’s intervention, the spirit reduced its claim to 20 cattle — 10 to be delivered as live beasts and the remainder to be converted to cash at a rate of US$400 per head.
The spirit made further demands, including the removal of a tree reportedly planted at the crime scene.
“I also demand that the tree planted where I was killed be removed because it is preventing me from avenging my death against Guta,” the spirit added.
“He planted it to stop me from seeking vengeance.”
Additionally, the spirit called for blood-stained clothes allegedly worn by Guta at the time of the incident to be produced before the court.
During the hearing, Saunyama recounted the events that led to Masasa’s death. He said on December 14, 2016, Masasa visited his homestead accompanied by his mother-in-law, at which point Saunyama initially asked him not to enter his home.
Saunyama explained that tensions between the two stemmed from the death of his brother’s daughter, Sarah, whose body was discovered in a local dam in 2015.
“I asked him whether he knew anything about Sarah’s death because people were saying he had information about what happened,” Saunyama said.
“He laughed and said it was news to him.”
Saunyama said Masasa left but returned the next morning and confronted him.
“He accused me of bad-mouthing him . . . He then threatened to kill me,” Saunyama alleged.
The confrontation escalated further the following day when Masasa reportedly asked Saunyama to accompany him to a nearby school.
“I refused to go with him and he became angry. He assaulted me with fists. I sat down, but he continued attacking me, forcing me to defend myself,” Saunyama added.
He admitted to stabbing Masasa during the scuffle. “I had a hunting knife that I was using to fit windowpanes at my house,” he said.
“During the altercation, I stabbed him. He walked away bleeding heavily and managed to move about five metres before becoming weak and sitting down.
“I changed my clothes and reported the matter to the police.”
Saunyama was subsequently arrested, convicted of murder and imprisoned.
Following his release earlier this year, he said, he approached the Masasa family seeking forgiveness but his efforts were all in vain.
“I approached the family because we are neighbours, but they refused to engage with me and advised that I bring the matter before this court,” he said.
In his ruling, Chief Mutasa urged the Saunyama family to assist Moses in making the compensation. He also implored both families to reconcile in order to restore peace and harmony within the community.
“The matter should end in peace. The two families must find a way to reconcile and move forward together as members of the same community,” Chief Mutasa said. — Manicaland Bureau
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