Mysterious deaths sets family apart

Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A MUTASA family, tormented by years of superstitious and mysterious deaths, has appealed for intervention after deepening divisions prevented relatives from seeking traditional healing together — a step they believe could finally end the tragedy.
The dispute was brought before Chief Mutasa by Phillip Rori, who said he was representing concerned members of the extended family against his uncles, John and Perkins Rori.
He alleged that persistent disagreements had frustrated collective efforts to establish the cause of the recurring deaths.
Phillip said the family had buried numerous relatives over the years in circumstances they regarded as mysterious, leaving survivors living in fear.
He said every traditional healer they had consulted directed that the entire family must unite before any meaningful intervention could occur.
“Our greatest concern is that people continue to die while the family remains divided. Every healer we have approached has insisted that we first unite as relatives before any spiritual cleansing or consultations can be conducted,” said Phillip, adding that repeated attempts to persuade family elders and other relatives to arrange a joint consultation had stalled, forcing him to seek the traditional court’s assistance.
“We have held discussions with family elders for years, but yielding nothing tangible. We can no longer continue delaying while deaths stalk us,” said Phillip, recounting a 1995 incident when his wife fell critically ill, and travelled to Mozambique to consult a traditional healer, who allegedly demanded the presence of the entire family before opening up.
Phillip said the traditional healer claimed that his brothers, John and Perkins, were responsible for directing an avenging spirit at his wife.
“The healer specifically asked that the whole family attend because, according to him, the problem affected everyone. He alleged that an avenging spirit connected to a man called Mutoko was being used against my household,” said Phillip, adding that Mutoko had previously stayed at John’s homestead before committing suicide.
Phillip also noted that both John and Perkins practiced as traditional healers and attracted clients from various areas.
Supporting Phillip, a family member, Janet Rori, said unexplained deaths had haunted them for decades.
She alleged that after her daughter, Barbara died in 1992, John approached her and apologised, claiming responsibility for her mysterious demise.
“This is not something that started recently. We have lived with these tragedies for many years. After my daughter died, I remember John coming to me, apologising in a manner that left me believing he was admitting responsibility,” said Janet, further recalling another incident involving her second-born child, who fell seriously ill.
She said Perkins treated the child with traditional medicine and she recovered.
However, she claimed John later besieged her home, angry that someone had interfered with his ‘trap’ — a remark she took to refer to her recovering child.

“When my daughter got better, John became angry and suggested that someone had disrupted something he had put in place. Those words have remained with me ever since,” she said.
Responding to the allegations, Perkins acknowledged a long history of traditional healing in the family, but denied he and John were the only practitioners.
“We come from a family where many people have practiced traditional healing. It is not something unique to me or John because several relatives, including some who are now deceased, possessed similar knowledge,” said Perkins.
John also dismissed the allegations.
He confirmed Mutoko took his own life at his homestead years ago, adding that his family had met all customary obligations by visiting the deceased’s relatives and making amends.
“Yes, Mutoko died at my homestead, but we followed the customary procedures afterwards. His family was approached and the matter was settled according to tradition,” said John, questioning why Phillip linked the family’s troubles only to Mutoko, yet his own brother, Shupikai, had also committed suicide.
“If there is concern about avenging spirits, why focus only on Mutoko? Phillip’s own brother, Shupikai, also took his own life before Mutoko, so there are several possibilities that should be considered instead of singling me out,” he argued, adding that while he inherited his healing power from his father, other relatives had acquired theirs elsewhere.
“My knowledge was passed down through my family lineage. Other relatives obtained healing paraphernalia from various traditional healers, so it is unfair to place all responsibility on me,” he said.
Chief Mutasa urged the family to prioritise unity over blame, warning that endless accusations without collective action will worsen divisions.
“This family cannot continue living in suspicion while refusing to find a lasting solution. Whether you believe the problem is spiritual or otherwise, you must face it together as one family,” he said.
He ordered all Rori family members to consult traditional healers and report back to him.