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Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
PANIC and fear last week gripped villagers in Makoni following the discovery of a small coffin that was floating in a dam.
Shocked villagers in Chirimutsitu area rushed to inform the village headman, Mr Omega Gwasira.
When Headman Gwasira arrived at the scene, the coffin had moved from the dam to a slab just outside the water body.
Hundreds of villagers gathered to witness the drama and some movements inside the coffin prompted Headman Gwasira to open it.
A big live snake and a live road runner chicken were found inside the coffin.
Headman Gwasira confirmed the incident and said after the discovery he immediately alerted Chief Makoni.
A traditional healer, Sekuru Shumba, was dispatched to assist them.
To the villagers’ surprise, when Sekuru Shumba opened the coffin, he found a decomposing owl, a winnowing basket (rusero) and other paraphernalia associated with underworld activities inside.
“I was called by some villagers on Monday evening informing me that they had found a coffin near the dam and I advised them to call the police. When I arrived, I discovered that there were some movements inside the small coffin,” said Headman Gwasira.
“I gathered enough courage and opened it. I was shocked to see a big black snake and a chicken. Some villagers also peeped and saw what I saw. I am very sure that was a snake and a chicken. We closed the coffin fearing that the snake and chicken would escape.
“It was my first time to encounter something so mysterious.
“I immediately contacted Chief Makoni who advised us to get hold of Sekuru Shumba for assistance. We kept guard of the coffin. However, when Sekuru Shumba opened the coffin we were all shocked to discover that the snake and chicken had disappeared, with a decomposing owl, winnowing basket and some dumwas replacing them,” he said.
Headman Gwasira said the coffin spent the night at his homestead under the guard of Sekuru Shumba and other villagers.
Sekuru Shumba intended to carry out a cleansing ceremony the following morning.
He burnt the coffin but was interrupted by the police before he could finish the cleansing ceremony as the swelling crowd was contravening Covid-19 regulations.
The traditional healer also didn’t have valid practicing certificates.
Sekuru Shumba was later released.
Chief Makoni called for a thorough probe on the issue.
“Evil deeds must be exposed in public. These issues are dealt with in a traditional way and that is why I seconded a traditional healer to deal with the issue,” said Chief Makoni.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said they summoned Sekuru Shumba for questioning and clarification of the issue.
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