admin
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
AN apostolic church member secretly buried his one-year-old nephew in contravention of the Burials and Cremation Act.
According to the Act, the registration of deaths is mandatory in Zimbabwe.
When he appeared before Headman Chigodora last week on Saturday, Ian Majekacheka, a Johanne Marange Apostolic Church devotee, confirmed that he secretly buried his one-year-old nephew without informing the authorities of the toddler’s death.
The baby, who was not feeling well died last month at a Johanne Marange Apostolic Church shrine in Chitora Village under Chief Zimunya’s area while receiving ‘spiritual help’.
It is alleged that Majekacheka collected the corpse from the shrine and secretly buried it at his family’s farm in Nehwangura Village.
The matter only came to light after villagers tipped off Village Head Chishakwe.
The matter was then reported to Headman Chigodora.
During the community court appearance, Majekacheka admitted secretly burying the child.
“My sister and her husband stay in Honde Valley but when the baby fell ill, she came here to seek spiritual counsel on the child’s ailment at our church shrine.
“Unfortunately the child died. My brother-in-law called me asking if I could help them bury the child here as they had no money to transport the corpse and mourners to Honde Valley.
“As they are part of the family, I collected my nephew’s corpse and buried him at the farm where other family members are buried,” he said.
Majekacheka said he was in the company of fellow Johanne Marange Apostolic Church members when he buried the child.
“I had my church mates and a few community members when I buried the child. I, however, would like to ask for forgiveness for not informing anyone about the death and burial of my nephew,” said Majekacheka.
Majekacheka’s brother, Timothy, said noone in their family was told of the child’s death.
“I am actually shocked because I did not know that one of our nephews had died and had been buried at our farm. Instead of resting peacefully in Honde Valley where his family hails from, I am sure the child’s spirit is now roaming our farm. Something should be done before his spirit starts haunting us,” charged Timothy.
Headman Chigodora described the secret burial as an abomination.
“It is taboo for you to bury someone without letting their corpse lay in honor at their family homestead. In this case, the boy’s body was buried in his father’s absence. It is taboo in Chief Zimunya’s area and you will have to appease and cleanse the area.
“However, we will only do that after a full trial. I want the parents of the child, your church leader and Village Head Nehwangura to be summoned here,” ordered Headman Chigodora.
The matter is yet to be reported to the police.
Online Reporter