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Viola Mzungwana
Entumbane residents in Bulawayo have suggested combined spiritual forces that involve Christianity and traditional beliefs in fighting what they call a demon inviting community members to plunge to their death at a local pool.
The Enkwalini pool has made life uneasy as residents fear guessing who will next jump to their death at the pool.
To avoid further misery, they have decided to hold cleansing ceremonies and all-night prayers at the place in a bid to get rid of evil spirits that drive people to commit suicide.
a�?It seems like there is some form of dark spirit that has been there for years now. That area is either haunted, cursed or there is something in there that lures troubled people in,a�? explained Gogo Bhebhe who said she had stayed around that area for more than 30 years.
The woman explained that they were still discussing how to gather people and hold prayer sessions and rituals.
a�?Some people in the neighbourhood suggested that they were going to hold all-night prayers, I think there also has to be traditional healers. They might be helpful in seeing what exactly is the problem and stop the evil that is troubling unsuspecting families,a�? she said.
The recent a�?suicidea�? case claimed an 18-year-old boya��s life. Victor Sibanda (18) of Entumbane was found dead in the a�?pool of deatha�? last week.
His body was found floating in the pool five days after he went missing. It is alleged that Sibanda was beaten up by his mother for scratching a car belonging to the mothera��s boyfriend.
Sources said Sibanda left home after being beaten up and disappeared. A week earlier,A� a man was found floating in the same pool.
Dalisa Ntele from Njube surburb allegedly threw himself in the pool. It is alleged that he had told his family and neighboursA� they were seeing him for the last time.
Witnesses said he sat at the edge of the pool for a long time sniffing snuff. Suspicious fishermen quizzed him about his intentions but he told them to stay away from him. When they did he threw himself into the water.
Early last year a 16-year-old girla��s body was found floatingin the pool a few days after she had gone missing.
The girl who was a Form Four pupil at a local school was found in the pool and it was suspected that she committed suicide after finding out that she was pregnant.
Among other cases, late last year was that of a man who was found dead a week after he had gone missing. The man who was in his thirties allegedly committed suicide in that same a�?pool of deatha�?.
The residents said it was not a mere coincidence those that die leave home stressed, then go missing for days or a week then later to be found floating in the pool.
a�?The dead cannot communicate with us, they cannot tell us exactly what lures them to that pool, but something is not right. We are now living in fear, we do not know how to correct our children. We get scared if our children leave home for a few hours. We understand the city council wants to put a fence around the pool, that can be helpful, but a fence cannot fight against dark spirits,a�? explained a woman who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The councillor for Entumbane, Gladys Masuku (ABOVE), said residents had not yet approached her about the rituals and the all-night prayers.
a�?I found this pool like this when I became the councillor. They cannot close it, so the city council is putting a fence around the area. We are yet to meet as a council and see the way forward. If the residents want to hold prayer sessions I can approve and be part of it. I just do not believe in traditional rituals,a�? she said.
Online Reporter