Mermaid kills man?

Collette Mukome
MYSTERY surrounds the drowning of a 27-year-old Penhalonga man whom residents believe was abducted by a mermaid that has caused havoc at a local dam.

Waison Jeremaya drowned in E.C Meikles Dam in Muchena last Friday while taking part in a swimming competition against a friend in the dam.

Efforts to locate his body failed, but his corpse was seen floating two days later.

Residents who are conversant with strange happenings at the dam that has swallowed many in recent years quickly pointed out to the work of a mermaid.

They said there was no way Jeremaya, a seasoned swimmer, could have drowned in the dam.

His mother Christine Mutiroti said she knew in an instant that the mermaid had attacked her son when news spread that he had drowned in the dam.

“When I heard that my son had drowned I knew that the mermaid had struck again and I never cried. I went to tell my brother who comforted me and told me to be strong. He said my son will return alive.”

“I went to traditional healers and prophets who also advised me not to cry. On Sunday morning I went to the dam and looked around but I could not find him. He was later found in the afternoon floating in the dam. He was gone,” she said.

“I stopped him two times from going to that dam but my advice fell on deaf ears. It’s hard to believe he is no more. At least he should have said goodbye. Anyway that’s the will of God,” she said.

Those privy to events leading to the tragic incident said Jeremaya went to the dam in the company of four friends – Charles Kwacha, Vincent Masengwe, Wilson and Panashe – and started to have a swimming competition.

Said Kwacha: “I was seated watching the competition when Jeremaya suddenly shouted for help calling Vincent’s name before he drowned for the first time. He raised his head above the water moments later but he drowned again. He was no more to be seen. It rang in my mind that the mermaid had struck. We quickly told his mother.”