Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Tourism Correspondent
RISING like a mystical curtain from the heart of the Vumba Highlands, Nyachowa Falls is a breathtaking spectacle and a place of deep spiritual significance, shrouded in ancient folklore and revered by generations.
Just 12km from Mutare City, this awe-inspiring cascade draws thousands from across the globe, all seeking to experience its serene beauty, rich heritage, and whispered legends of mermaids and hidden gold.
But beneath the sound of rushing water lies a warning that demands urgent attention.
It is imperative to say the site is a sacred site not a shrine for reckless rituals.
The growing trend of visitors misusing this hallowed ground to perform spiritual ceremonies is, not only a violation of cultural respect — it is dangerous and unacceptable.
Recent events have cast a dark shadow over this paradise.
What should be a symbol of peace, wonder and Zimbabwean pride is now at risk of being reduced to a site of tragedy, superstition and misplaced beliefs.
Originally, the pool was approximately 100 metres deep, but due to the accumulation of sand, its current depth is unknown.
This area is sacred, and they prohibit intoxication and alcohol consumption.
Local legend has long whispered of mermaids dwelling in the waters of Nyachowa, and of hidden golden treasures lying beneath the deep pool.
These tales add to the mystique that draws visitors year-round.
But while the allure of the unknown continues to fascinate, Nyachowa Falls is not a place for spiritual experimentation or unsanctioned rituals.
The site is a perfect showcase of the sustainable, inclusive tourism pillars outlined in the 2025–2030 Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy.
Its eco-tourism potential is vast, but it can only be unlocked if the site is respected and preserved.
That includes rejecting harmful or inappropriate spiritual practices that put lives at risk and tarnish the integrity of the site.
Community elders and custodians of the falls have repeatedly emphasised its sacredness, not as a site for sacrifice or spiritual summoning, but as a place of peace, respect, and preservation. The recent tragic death of Vernon Ndemanzvi (31), of Chinhoyi, has cast a sombre shadow over this natural marvel.
Ndemanzvi reportedly drowned while attempting a ritual ceremony with his younger brother and two others.
In a moment, that underscores the danger and inappropriateness of conducting such activities at Nyachowa, his body was later found floating — dashing local hopes that he would resurface, as per myth.
His death prompted temporary closure of the site and triggered a spiritual cleansing led by Headman Chigodora, aimed at restoring the spiritual balance believed to have been disturbed by the ritual.
This is not the first time visitors have been warned: those overseeing the site, like Mr Garikai Chidano, consistently remind guests that alcohol, food offerings like rice and any form of intoxication are strictly prohibited.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Honourable Barbra Rwodzi in her speech at the Zimbabwe Tourism Investment Forum event during the just-ended Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo held in Mutare, said the sector is a strategic lever for economic diversification.
“The recently launched Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy (2025 –2030) provides the strategic framework to unlock the sector’s full potential.
“Its pillars are not theoretical; they are actionable commitments, which are, Sustainability and eco-friendly tourism practices – to safeguard our environment, Inclusivity – to ensure communities are direct beneficiaries of tourism growth, Innovation and digitisation – to enhance competitiveness, Investment facilitation – through clear frameworks and Public–Private Partnerships, Skills development and capacity building – to empower our workforce
“With these pillars, our direction is clear: we are creating an enabling environment for investment, modernising infrastructure, and ensuring that sustainability remains at the core of our growth.
“Manicaland has a showcase of these pillars in action.
“The Eastern Highlands, Honde Valley, Mutarazi Falls, and Nyanga National Park, just to mention a few, are jewels of eco-tourism and adventure.
Religious and cultural sites attract visitors, while artisanal and cultural communities add depth to our tourism offering.
This province is, not only rich in scenic beauty, but also strategically positioned as Zimbabwe’s gateway to Mozambique and the wider SADC region. It is the natural starting point for a new chapter of inclusive, sustainable, and globally competitive tourism investments,” she said.
Moffat Mungazi