Tinaani Nyabereka
Gokwe- A family cleansing ritual presided over by a traditional healer left two dead after they drank a concoction prepared by the healer.
The incident occurred on October 15, 2022 at around 0400 hours at Mandaza village under Chief Chireya in Gokwe North.
Circumstances given are that the Mandaza family intended to have a cleansing ceremony at their home and sought the services of the now suspect Simbisai Mapuranga (52) of Rumwe Area in Kadoma.
Mapuranga allegedly prepared 20 litres of a concoction which every member of the family was to drink after confessing.
All 28 members of Mandaza family, who were present at the ceremony confessed and drank the substance.
It is further reported that family members started to vomit with some becoming unconscious for about three hours.
The rest of the family regained consciousness except Mharadza Mandaza and Mhere Mandaza who remained unconscious until the alleged healer and his entourage left for Kadoma.
The two were later pronounced dead and the matter was reported to the police while bodies of the deceased were taken to Gokwe North Hospital for post mortem.
In a statement, Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the unfortunate incident and appealed to members of the public with information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects.
“We are appealing to members of the public who might have information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect/s to report to any police station or make use of our suggestion boxes nearer to them,” Mahoko said.
