Death knocks only for women

Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A CLOUD of mystery hangs over a Honde Valley family, where female members are dying in large numbers under unexplained circumstances.
The matter, which has caused a serious rift among the apostolic sect family members, was brought before Chief Mutasa’s community court recently as relatives sought answers and unity in the face of tragedy.
During the hearing, Johane Rukowa, one of the young male family members, revealed that nearly all the women in their lineage had died at a young age, with at least 10 passing away barely a year after getting married.
“As we speak, one of our surviving aunties is bedridden, and we fear that she might die just like other sisters. Our brothers and fathers are ignoring it, and not helping the family. Recently, one of our sisters passed away, and she was only a year into marriage. Our fathers are now known for their violent conduct during the funerals without offering any help,” said Johane, adding that despite their efforts to seek divine help through their various apostolic sects, the situation has remained unchanged.
“Our brothers have consulted healers at their different apostolic churches. As a son, and as I represent the family today, we need help so that our sisters and aunties stop dying,” he said.
His uncle, Simon Rutowa, told the court that the unexplained deaths have left the family with a bad reputation in Honde Valley. He said people now openly warn men against marrying women from the Rukowa family, claiming that they die soon after marriage.
“In Honde Valley, they are now saying you should not marry women from the Rukowa family because they die like flies. Indeed, we once consulted church healers, and it seemed as if it had ended, but it started all over again.

“We plan to seek help as a family, but once everyone goes back to their homes, they stop caring,” said Simon.
He went on to narrate a chilling family tale that he believes could be at the root of the mysterious deaths.
Simon said family elders once told them that their great-grandfather used his grandchild’s wealth, and promised to give him a girl child as repayment.
The debt was allegedly never settled.
“We were told that our great-grandfather used his grandchild’s wealth and promised to compensate him with a girl child. He was never paid, and up to now, the family girls are dying. Our fathers are turning a deaf ear, but we have consulted the family of the so-called nephew, and they confirmed that this happened.
“As we speak, 10 girls from the family died only a year their marriage. Some die while pregnant,” he explained.
Another family member, Solomon Rutowa, confirmed his brother’s account, saying efforts to get their fathers’ support in consulting spiritual healers have been futile.
“Our fathers are refusing to consult healers with us. We have reached a point where we are willing to consult even a traditional healer as a family. We know that this is against our church doctrine, but we just want peace, and to save the lives of our daughters,” said Solomon.
Another family member, Noah Rutowa, added that several church prophets hinted that the family elders are withholding critical information.
“Spiritual healers told us that our fathers know something behind our sisters’ mysterious deaths, but they all deny it,” said Noah.
However, Chief Mutasa urged the family not to ignore the gravity of the issue, saying that both spiritual and traditional means should be considered in seeking the truth.
“You cannot continue to lose your daughters and pretend that nothing is wrong. Whether you are members of apostolic sects or not, you must unite and seek lasting solutions together as a family,” said Chief Mutasa.
He further advised them to reconnect with their ancestral spirits, and if indeed a debt was owed, they have to resolve it in a lawful and humane way.
“If there is a spirit that feels cheated, negotiate with it and pay through beasts, not people. In this country, the use of a girl child as an appeasement was outlawed. If it is true that your ancestor promised a girl child as compensation, then the proper way now is to offer cattle or goats in reparation,” he said.
The chief emphasised unity and collective responsibility in addressing the family’s ordeal, saying that partial efforts and finger-pointing would only worsen their misfortunes.
“Do not go in small groups. Go together as a family so that you get the same answers. Only unity can bring peace to your household,” he said.