Child dies during spiritual cleansing

Arron Nyamayaro

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy died on Monday after drinking a concoction during a cleansing ceremony at an Igwe Farm shrine in Zvimba, Glen Norah.

Tinashe Dzinoreva, of Glen Norah, was taken by his mother, Agatha Muzizwa, 28, to traditional healer Patience Temera, 41, of Glen Norah A, for help as he was suffering from hernia.

Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, said Temera and Muzizwa had been arrested and detained at Marimba Police Station.

The boy’s body was taken to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

“Police are investigating a case where a minor child died at a shrine during a cleansing ceremony,” said Insp Chakanza.

“On January 2 at around 11am, the now deceased’s mother took him to Patience’s shrine at Igwe Farm for spiritual cleansing.

“They were in the company of 13 other people seeking cleansing at the shrine.

“The deceased was suffering from a hernia condition, and he was given a concoction of snuff mixed with fresh milk.

“The deceased went into a trance and was laid under a tree to sleep waiting to be given porridge.

“He was reported to have started sweating and was given water to drink by his mother. Moments later, the deceased started trembling and vomiting.

“His mother held him in her arms and water started coming out of his nostrils and mouth resulting in his death,” said Insp Chakanza.

Muzizwa was reported to have tried to give the boy mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in vain.

He was taken to Glenview Poly Clinic where he was pronounced dead.