Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
IN a recent court proceeding, Chief Mutasa admonished community members to refrain from disturbing sacred sites, emphasising the ancestral spirits’ role in protecting these revered locations.
Chief Mutasa said sacred sites encompass royal gravesites, mountains, and ritual grounds, which are integral to the community heritage. He stressed that these sites are, not merely parcels of land, but sacred spaces whose desecration can invite calamity upon, both the offender and surrounding community.
“These are not ordinary places. They are protected by spirits and must never be tampered with. Anyone who disturbs them risks bringing ancestral wrath upon themselves and disturbing the peace of others around them,” cautioned Chief Mutasa.
He said this while presiding over a case in which a Mutasa man, Nicholas Zuze, is reportedly being tormented by the clan’s ancestral forces after he allegedly tampered with a sacred site at Manunure Mountain, which is associated with the Mutasa royal lineage.
The court heard that Zuze’s mysterious violent behaviour after tampering with the sacred site was disrupting his neighbourhood and left nearby families living in fear for their lives.
It is alleged that he has been going from house to house destroying windowpanes and doors. During the court session, Zuze admitted destroying the property, but claimed he had no control over his actions.
“It is very true, but I do not know what will be happening. It all started when I went to the sacred Manunure Mountain. As I was digging there, I found a small clay pot on the ground. The moment I picked it up, I felt something got into me. From there, I started dreaming weird dreams, including a grave, which is said to be where a woman of the Mutasa royal lineage was buried,” he said.
Zuze explained that during these episodes, he is overtaken by a spirit claiming to be an ancestor of the Mutasa people, identifying itself as Manunure from the Mutasa Clan. His father, Lovely Zuze, corroborated the story, stating that they had sought help from a traditional healer.
The healer reportedly informed them that Nicholas was now a host of an avenging spirit.
“He becomes very destructive. He has since destroyed my house. The spirit says it is from the Mutasa Clan, and was angered by the digging at the sacred mountain. We are trying to help him, but it is getting worse,” he said.
Chief Mutasa confirmed that Manunure was one of Mutasa’s daughters and headwoman in the area, emphasising the sacredness of the Manunure Mountain. While sympathising with the family, Chief Mutasa stressed that the community could not be held hostage by an individual’s spiritual issues, particularly when they stem from desecrating sacred spaces.
“These mountains, graves, and ritual sites are sacred. We always urge our people not to dig or interfere with such areas. The spirits that dwell in these places protect the land and must be respected. Once you provoke them, they will respond, and not kindly,” he said.
He advised the Zuze family to take Nicholas for a psychiatric assessment to determine whether his condition was mental or purely spiritual.
“Take him to medical doctors first. If they confirm that it is not a mental health issue, then you can go back and consult traditional healers. We must not ignore mental health in our communities, but we must also respect our customs and sacred places,” said Chief Mutasa.
The matter had been brought before the court by Enisia Duri, who recounted how Zuze’s condition had affected the entire neighbourhood, including her own family.
“The Zuze family are our neighbours. Nicholas was screaming and shouting at their home for about three days before he came to my homestead and broke windowpanes and doors, claiming he had given the owner lucky charms and was not paid. I was shocked because this never happened. He seemed possessed and grabbed a walking stick from our 95-year-old grandmother who was sitting outside. We locked ourselves inside, but he broke the door. He broke 39 windowpanes and four doors that day,” she said.
Despite police intervention, Duri said Zuze kept returning, still unstable.
“He came back days later, calling out my name, threatening to assault me. His father has not assessed the damage,” she added.
Chief Mutasa sent a strong message to villagers, stressing tradition and ancestral harmony.
