marble nkomo
Mthokozisi Ncube
A FAMILY belonging to an apostolic sect has been accused of attempting to conceal the death of their 24-year-old daughter, who allegedly died from pregnancy-related complications at a shrine in Goromonzi.
The death of Roseline Tamary Takawira in February this year has exposed deep divisions within the family, with her grandmother now demanding answers and justice over the circumstances surrounding her granddaughter’s passing in February 2026 amid allegations that her parents and church elders tried to conceal the tragedy to avoid medical and legal scrutiny.
Roseline’s life had been marked by conflict and control from an early age.
She was allegedly married off at just 16 into a polygamous union reportedly sanctioned by the sect, a move that did not sit well with her grandmother, Enita Moyo.
Her grandmother then intervened, rescuing the girl and bringing her to Bulawayo to pursue an education.
“My granddaughter was forced into marriage when she was still a child. I took her away from that situation because I wanted her to have a future.
“I enrolled her at a local school where she defied the odds, completing her A-levels.
“We had a mutual understanding that she would go to university, but when a local programme fell through, her parents took her back to Murewa,” a grieving Moyo told B-Metro.
She said Roseline returned to her parents in Murewa following what was described as a family reconciliation.
“They promised me they would support her education and give her a better life,” Moyo said. “But things changed.”
According to the grandmother, tensions resurfaced when Roseline reportedly refused to fully submit to the family’s apostolic sect doctrines, leading to her being labelled a “black sheep”.
“She was pushed back into that same marriage she had escaped from,” she said.
Roseline later fell pregnant again, and it is alleged that she began experiencing serious complications, including seizures and high blood pressure.
Despite her deteriorating condition, the family claims she was denied access to formal medical treatment due to religious beliefs.
“She needed urgent medical attention, but we were told the church does not allow hospital visits. They insisted on prayers,” she said.
Roseline was eventually taken to a shrine in Goromonzi for spiritual intervention, where she reportedly died shortly after arrival in February this year.
“We believe she was not given the medical care she needed. She was very ill, but nothing was done except prayers,” Moyo added.
The situation allegedly worsened after her death, with the family accusing church members of taking full control of the burial process.
“We were not allowed to participate in her burial as a family. Everything was handled by the church leadership,” Moyo said.
“We were left in the dark about what really happened.”
She further alleges that no post-mortem was conducted to establish the cause of death.
In a disturbing claim, the grandmother said attempts were allegedly made by some family elders to remove the foetus, but failed.
“Her body had already hardened. It was a traumatic and inhumane situation,” she said.
The grandmother also claimed that access to Roseline’s grave has been restricted.
“We are being denied the chance to visit her grave freely. It is like they are hiding something,” she said.
Moyo said the family is now documenting the events leading to Roseline’s death in a bid to seek justice.
“All we want is justice. She deserved a proper life and dignity, even in death,” she said.
Efforts to get a comment from Roseline’s parents were unsuccessful, as they declined to discuss the matter.
They reacted with hostility.
“Go and talk to the person who gave you my number,” they said.
Questions sent via WhatsApp had not been responded to by the time of publication.
Meanwhile, the alleged husband, Elton Ghuveya, denied ever being married to Roseline.
“I wasn’t married to her, that’s all lies,” he said. “I was not around during her death, so I don’t know anything about it. You can ask other relatives.”
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo