Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa-Features Writer
IT has been four decades now, yet for Chief Mola and his community, memories of an enigmatic lion that once lived among them remain as vivid as ever.
Villagers of Mola in Kariba, Mashonaland West, recount a tale that blends mystery, humour and a touch of the supernatural, capturing the imaginations of even those born long after the events unfolded.
This mysterious lion, known as Maswerasei, left an indelible mark on their history, sparking a whirl of theories and dividing opinions.
Imagine wandering through the serene landscapes of rural Kariba, where spotting footprints of wild cats is commonplace.
But this lion was unlike any other. It moved with an uncanny grace, almost as if it possessed human instincts.
Local lore whispers of this beast roaming freely both day and night without a hint of fear towards its human counterparts.
Its name has become a chilling reminder of its prowess, a name that echoes through the villages of Chitenge, Dobe, Kalundu, Mangwara and Kasiya.
Legend has it that Maswerasei appeared at ordinary times, yet his actions were anything but ordinary.
Some villagers speculate that this lion was merely a misfit, shunned by its pride, while others suggest a more sinister origin: black magic, wielded by a villager embroiled in a fierce battle for chieftainship.
Tales swirl that it could even have been a man transformed and trapped in a lion’s body, never able to return.
Chief Mola, born Champion Rare, shared a spine-tingling account of events from the 1980s.
“This lion was extraordinary. It had an uncanny awareness of when danger approached and could vanish without a trace, only to reappear miles away,” he recalled, still shaken by the memories.
Such intriguing disappearances led Chief Mola to conclude that this was not just an ordinary beast.
“This was the work of black magic, because when this happened, it was during a time when the community had lost a chief who needed to be replaced.”
The unnamed man, of royal blood, whose dark world ended up turning against him, is alleged to have created the creature to cause pandemonium and fear in the community.
He is alleged to have confessed to using juju to create the animal, and died a few years after the hunting down of the lion.
In Kariba, peculiar occurrences extend beyond the lion.
The Gatshe Gatshe Fishing Camp is notorious for a legendary crocodile that targets men in the most shocking of ways, dragging them into the depths of the water without mercy.
Fishermen have been found mysteriously stripped of their manhood, while the rest of their bodies remained unscathed, a chilling reminder of how the aquatic world can be as dangerous as the savannah.
In some cases, bodies were found with missing hands or legs, perhaps being the part that the furtive crocodile could have grabbed first.
“It’s mysterious as crocodiles do not attack people aboard a boat or vessel, but usually those on the shores of the lake,” Mr Silas Tomu, a fisher, said. “All the victims were found with missing manhood, and a few without limbs,” he added.
Meanwhile, according to villagers, Maswerasei did not just haunt their dreams, he terrorised their lives, slaughtering livestock, and even taking the life of a young girl, shattering the community’s peace. Chief Mola firmly believes that creatures born from dark magic are crafted to instil fear and chaos.
Gogo Esteri Siambura, a 70-year-old villager, recalled the relentless efforts of rangers, who tried to capture this elusive lion, only to be met with frustration.
“They thought we were exaggerating,” she said, reflecting on their disbelief that one lion could dart between different spots so effortlessly.
Renowned spiritualist and celebrated sungura musician, Madzibaba Gina, had some intriguing insights to share.
This charismatic figure believes that black magic holds the power to create and manipulate creatures that defy imagination.
Picture this: A simple twig, a fragment of root, or even a lone leaf, transforming into a gigantic snake that spews forth riches.
Surreal!
“I have had numerous people come to me seeking help to cleanse their homes,” Madzibaba Gina revealed, hinting at dark secrets lurking beneath the surface.
These individuals often unwittingly dabble in ancient juju for wealth, only to discover the chilling consequences of their actions.
One-by-one, these eerie creatures bring forth unbelievable misfortune, stealthily claiming the lives of unsuspecting family members in mysterious and tragic ways.
The tension builds as the line between prosperity and peril blurs, prompting the question: what are the true costs of tapping into such forbidden powers?
For the Mola community, the lion’s terrifying presence made walks after dusk an act of bravery as the community lived in constant fear. Ultimately, when all else failed, powerful rituals were performed, leading to the capture and demise of the lion at the hands of rangers, bringing much-needed relief to the beleaguered villagers.
Although the memories are perplexing and seem surreal, the stories remain alive among people living under Chief Mola, intertwining their lives with the dark allure of the legendary lion — Maswerasei.
