Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
AN alleged avenging spirit dramatically interrupted proceedings at Chief Mutasa’s community court, demanding 80 head of cattle from a Mutasa man convicted of murder, insisting that compensation was necessary for the deceased’s spirit to find peace and for the bereaved family to attain closure.
The unusual case arose when Moses Saunyama, who served a prison sentence after being convicted of murdering Robert Masasa in 2016, appeared before the traditional court seeking readmission into the community.
Saunyama said although he had completed his sentence, he was struggling to reintegrate into society as the Masasa family was refusing to forgive him despite his efforts to seek reconciliation.
The proceedings took a dramatic twist when a spirit, purportedly that of the late Masasa, allegedly manifested through the deceased’s brother and demanded compensation from Saunyama.
According to the manifestation, Masasa’s death left his family shattered and his homestead deserted, preventing his spirit from resting.
“My homestead is now deserted. My three wives and six children have left, and no one remains there since my death.
“My spirit is roaming. I need to rest and will only find peace when my family is reunited. My parents are still grieving,” said the alleged spirit.
The spirit initially demanded 80 cattle from Saunyama, alleging that he had not fully disclosed the circumstances surrounding Masasa’s death.
“He should tell the truth about what happened. I want 80 cattle from Saunyama alone. He did not kill me alone. His brother, Paul Guta, and Saunyama’s two wives, Memory and Martha, also took part in my death. I will pursue them as well,” the manifestation claimed.
Chief Mutasa, however, ruled that the demand was excessive, noting that Saunyama had already served a prison sentence for the offence.
Following the chief’s intervention, the spirit reduced its claim to 20 cattle, with 10 to be paid in live beasts and the remainder converted to cash at US$400 per beast.
The alleged spirit made further demands, including the removal of a tree reportedly planted at the scene of the murder.
“I also demand that the tree planted where I was killed be removed because it is preventing me from avenging my death against Guta. He planted it to stop me from seeking vengeance,” said the manifestation.
The spirit also called for blood-stained clothes allegedly worn by Guta at the time of the incident to be produced before the court.
During the hearing, Saunyama recounted the events that led to Masasa’s death and his subsequent conviction.
He said on December 14, 2016, Masasa visited his homestead accompanied by his mother-in-law. Saunyama said he initially asked him not to enter the premises.
According to Saunyama, tensions stemmed from the death of his brother’s daughter, Sarah, whose body was reportedly discovered in a local dam in 2015.
“I asked him whether he knew anything about Sarah’s death because people were saying he had information about what happened. He laughed and said it was news to him,” said Saunyama.
Saunyama said Masasa left, but returned the next morning and confronted him.
“He accused me of bad-mouthing him and said whatever I had heard, he had actually said. He then threatened to kill me,” he alleged.
The confrontation reportedly escalated the following day when Masasa allegedly asked Saunyama to accompany him to a nearby school.
“I refused to go with him and he became angry. He assaulted me with fists. I sat down, but he continued attacking me, forcing me to defend myself,” said Saunyama.
He admitted stabbing Masasa during the altercation.
“I had a hunting knife that I was using to fit window panes at my house. During the scuffle, I stabbed him. He walked away bleeding heavily and managed to move about five metres before becoming weak and sitting down. I changed my clothes and reported the matter to the police,” he said.
Saunyama was later arrested, convicted of murder and imprisoned.
He said after his release this year, he approached the Masasa family seeking forgiveness, but his efforts were unsuccessful.
“I approached the family because we are neighbours, but they refused to engage me and advised that I bring the matter before this court,” he said.
In his ruling, Chief Mutasa urged the Saunyama family to assist him in meeting the agreed compensation requirements. He also implored both families to embrace reconciliation in order to restore peace and harmony within the community.
“The matter should end in peace. The two families must find a way to reconcile and move forward together as members of the same community,” said Chief Mutasa.
