Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
FIVE families from Ngirazi Village under Chief Makoni have approached the community court seeking help to appease the spirit of a man they admit was fatally assaulted after being accused of theft.
The Nyamubarwa, Nyagwaya, Karumekayi, Window and Jackson families appeared before Chief Makoni’s community court, where they sought audience with a relative of the deceased, Leonard Tsikwaurere, over claims that his avenging spirit is tormenting those linked to his death.
Tsikwaurere’s relative, Paul Muza, was summoned to attend the proceedings as the families sought a traditional resolution to the long-standing matter.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Headman Ngirazi recounted the events that led to Tsikwaurere’s death, describing how villagers allegedly took the law into their own hands after he was accused of theft by an elderly woman.
“Some time ago, Leonard Tsikwaurere was returning from the shops when he passed through the homestead of an elderly woman. Upon seeing him, she shouted that he was a thief. Villagers responded to the alarm and assaulted him,” said Headman Ngirazi.
The headman said the assault ended tragically.
“The assailants later admitted that they loaded him into a wheelbarrow and dumped him in a nearby thicket while he was still alive. He was subsequently found dead. Four villagers were arrested, convicted and each served a six-month prison sentence for the offence,” he said.
Although some of those directly involved were prosecuted, Headman Ngirazi said the alleged effects of the killing have extended beyond those who were jailed.
“The deceased’s avenging spirit is reportedly troubling, not only those who were arrested, but also other individuals who participated in the assault and were never prosecuted. The families have come before this court seeking guidance on how to appease the spirit and bring closure to the matter,” he said.
During the hearing, Chief Makoni referred the parties to his resident traditional healer for further consultations.
The traditional healer indicated that there were signs suggesting some of the assailants may have attempted to suppress or prevent the deceased’s spirit from avenging its death, a practice commonly referred to as kutsipika ngozi.
As part of the traditional proceedings, the healer is said to have engaged the spirit in an effort to establish the circumstances surrounding the matter and what is required for reconciliation.
The findings from the consultation are expected to be presented before the community court within the next week.
However, the families strongly denied allegations that they had attempted to silence Tsikwaurere’s spirit.
The matter has been adjourned pending the traditional healer’s report and recommendations on how the dispute may be resolved.
