adminRay Bande Senior Reporter
RESIDENTS of Chisamba Singles in the sprawling surburb of Sakubva in Mutare are battling to come terms with the incomprehensible death of an 11 year old boy a few days after he was seriously threatened with unspecified action by a female neighbour who was accusing him of having stolen $24 from her house. Ashton Mponda, died and was laid to rest recently after a neighbour identified as Bridget Mutandi (Mai Mukudzei) had approached Ashton’s parents accusing the youngster of having stolen $24 from her house.
Apparently, when the Manica Post visited the area, the issue was the talk of the neighbourhood and finding directions to Ashton’s 172 Chisamba Singles home was an easy task. Ashton’s parents confirmed that Mutandi approached them demanding $24 that she alleged to have been stolen from her house.
The Chisamba Primary pupil’s mother said her son’s death was just mysterious. “The lady came and told me that she had consulted Madzibaba (apostolic sect leader) after she discovered that her $24 was missing. She said she was told by Madzibaba that a boy who was wearing a blue short the previous day stolen her money.
“She went on to tell us that Madzibaba had advised her to talk to the parents first before he (Madzibaba) does what he knows best. Ashton’s father intervened and told the lady to invite her husband so that they could talk over the issue as men but she refused. She said her husband was not even aware of the fact she had the $24 let alone the fact that she had gone to Madziababa.
“She refused to entertain any further discussions and told us that she is going back to Madzibaba. The following day my child came back from school complaining about pain on his leg. He said he had been injured while playing soccer at school.
“It was not all that serious but somehow he could not go play with the others, as he used to. The situation deteriorated in the next two days as the leg started swelling while de developed rush all over his body. He got worse. Two days later he told his sister in the morning that he felt something piercing through his heart.
“He asked us whether we knew who had done that to him. My own mother, his grandmother, phoned me while he was holding my phone. He told her the same statement that he felt something piercing through his heart. “His father was called and when he arrived Ashton was crying. He told his father he did not think he was going to survive. A few moments later he breathed his last. It was just shocking,” said Ashton’s mother.
The deceased’s father concurred that they believe that his only son’s death has something to do with the threats made by the female neighbour. “It is painful to lose one’s only son in this manner. I can’t help but believe that his death has something to do with the threats made prior to his death.
“I am dreaming about him more often and it pains me when I hear him in his dreams telling me to relax saying he will fight his murderers by himself. I do not have any powers over this, my son is no more and there is really nothing I can do. “Only if that lady had listened to me and gave me the chance to talk over the issue amicably, I could have given her the $24.
“After all, I had the money but I only wanted to make sure that I pay where it is due,” said a seemingly middle aged Mponda. Apparently, Mutandi has since vacated Number 190 Chisamba Singles where she was lodging together with her husband and their baby. Neighbours and relatives said they are not aware of her whereabouts.
Owing to the limitations in the existing laws, there could be no legal respite for the Mponda’s given that witchcraft does not exists, at least according to the constitution.
Online Reporter