Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
TRAGEDY has struck a Chimanimani family, whose late father’s avenging spirit is demanding that they retrieve the traditional healing paraphernalia that was buried with him so that it can be passed on to one of his children to continue with his legacy.
The late Tabarirevhu Chimugomo Neuramba was a famous traditional healer in Chimanimani, whose spirit is said to be haunting his children, demanding that they retrieve the sacred healing tools so that he can pass them on to one of them.
Led by his son, Gondai Neuramba, the family appeared before Chief Muusha’s community court last Saturday, where he claimed that they had reasoned with their late father’s avenging spirit.
“We agreed that we will buy new traditional healing paraphernalia and conduct rituals, which his spirit will lead us through. From there, he will pass them on to whoever he wants.
“He was angry because he wanted us to keep the healing paraphernalia, but instead, we buried him with them when he died. He insists that he wanted us to keep the tools and await his instructions,” he said.
This was after the family was ordered by Chief Muusha to consult healers following incessant illnesses within the family.
As if that was not enough, Neuramba’s vengeful spirit is, not only focused on his children, but also on Newton Mutasa, who is allegedly responsible for his death.
During the same court session, Mutasa confessed to killing Neuramba through rituals, disclosing that he had used deadly traditional charms, including sending him chibayo or chifura to eliminate his rival.
“He was having an affair with my wife (Jennifer Mutasa), and I could not tolerate the betrayal. I was left with no choice, but to eliminate him.
“He was sleeping with my wife, and I had to act. I sought help and ensured that he was dealt with spiritually, because he was a powerful traditional healer himself. He fought back through ‘back-to-sender’ rituals, but in the end, I prevailed,” said Mutasa, his voice unwavering.
Chief Muusha ordered Mutasa to pay three beasts as admission of guilty, which he has already paid in the form of money.
However, Neuramba’s spirit refuses to rest.
His family claims that he has been manifesting through different members, demanding justice for his untimely death.
The spirit has also ordered Mutasa to pay nine cows and one bull as compensation for his actions, while Jennifer was ordered to pay five cattle for her role in the affair leading to Neuramba’s death.
An elderly Jennifer, visibly shaken throughout the court proceedings, pleaded for leniency, arguing that she had no control over the situation.
“I never wanted him dead. I made mistakes, but I never thought it would come to this. Now his spirit wants me to pay, but where will I get the five cattle?
I do not have the means. I am not the one who killed him, and I did not even know that he would be killed by my husband, so I do not see why I am being asked to appease his spirit. I loved him,” she said.
Despite the couple’s pleas, Neuramba’s spirit remained relentless, demanding justice and quizzing his children about the whereabouts of his sacred tools.
Chief Muusha, after hearing the harrowing details, adjourned the matter after ordering the Mutasa family to start looking for the appeasement.
“This is a serious case, and we cannot ignore it. The spiritual realm is not something to be taken lightly.
“The best way forward is to appease the dead, and this should be done forthwith. The Neuramba family should also meet their father’s demands before he starts killing within the family,” said Chief Muusha.
Online Reporter