adminMaria Chiguvari in BIKITA
THE Maveto family of Bikita, which is accused of burying children in a mass grave, has said it’s an offence for any of their members to receive medical treatment.
They stick strictly to their Johanne Marange Church sect demands and they will not compromise their religious beliefs for anything in this world.
Dorcas Mhere (47), the senior wife of Clever Maveto, said the church was their salvation and nothing else matters.
Mhere said she has been using holy water, salt and cooking oil to cure all her children since the early ‘80s.
She told H-Metro she has never been to a hospital.
“It is not allowed for one to seek medical attention. You just pray for whatever illness you’re facing or consult the prophet for help.
“We only use holy water, cooking oil and salt, depending on the prophet’s instructions.
“When a child is born, we perform a ritual to protect the baby from measles.
“For other ailments, like a running stomach, we use fresh milk and Coca-Cola, to cleanse the body,” said Mhere.
Alice Chiyambiro, Mhere’s sister, said they also use concoctions for healing infants with fontanelle problems.
“We give children a mixture of lemons, cooking oil and warm water to heal the fontanelle,” Chiyambiro said.
Online Reporter