Police Reveal Names of Two Women Who Drowned During Manjuzu Ceremony: More Details Revealed

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BINDURA – Tragedy struck at the Nyaure River in Bindura’s Chief Masembura area on Monday, as two women drowned during a “manjuzu” ceremony, prompting a police investigation and igniting debate about mermaid spirits and traditional practices. The Zimbabwe Republic Police have identified the deceased as Ellen Mlauzi, 49, and Ethel Nyabundu, 22, both of whom perished while participating in rituals led by a self-styled prophet.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident, stating, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm the death of two women by drowning at Nyaure River, Manhenga village in Bindura.”

According to police reports, the two women were part of a group of five women and one man who ventured to the river to conduct traditional rites. The others were identified as Pauline Kadzviti, 48, Tabeth Sagwidza, 39, Emma Sagwidza, 35, and Jacob Peter.

Comm Nyathi explained the sequence of events leading to the tragic drownings: “One of the now deceased was reported to have shown signs of being possessed with spirits, moved to deep water and drowned. The man followed, tried in vain to rescue her, called others and they all failed, leading to the drowning of another woman.”

Police managed to retrieve one body on the day of the incident, while the second body was recovered the following day by members of the police Sub-Aqua Unit.

The self-styled prophet who led the group provided his account of the events: “I went with some women to pray and I wanted to invoke the mermaid spirits. These people had their own issues and during this process one of us was taken by the spirits. We then went into the water to try and rescue her and one of them died, in the process, my wife also died during the rescue,” he said.

The incident has sparked widespread concern and condemnation within the community, with traditional leaders expressing their dismay over the disregard for sacred water bodies and proper ritual practices.

Headman Masembura issued a stern warning, emphasising the need to respect the spiritual significance of such locations. “These are sacred waters, and there are underground spiritual creatures there. So, every time you go there you must follow proper rituals and you must ask the leaders of this place,” he said.

He further explained that the group had sought permission to conduct the ceremony, claiming they intended to appease the mermaid spirits of a deceased colleague. “We asked these people what exactly they were doing and this self-styled prophet said he brought rice, sweets and biscuits and wine to appease the mermaid spirits of their deceased colleague,” the Headman revealed. “In this river, we have never heard of mermaids but spiritual things are hard to understand because there are spiritual beings under water so it could be like that.”

The tragic incident has also reignited the debate surrounding the existence and influence of “manjuzu,” or mermaid spirits, which have gained popularity among young women seeking wealth and fame.

“Manjuzu or mermaid spirits have become a hit among young women who believe that if you are born with this spirit or nurture such spirits you can become rich or famous.”

Sekuru Nzou, a traditional healer, weighed in on the matter, cautioning against the dangers of engaging with fake mermaid spirits and the importance of spiritual guidance. “The thing that has happened here is shocking, some people are just saying we are mermaids but there are procedures to be done and people who go down with people to rivers should have spiritual eyesight,” he said.

“What I know regards manjzuu is that there are real manjuzu and those which are fake, those who buy fake mermaid spirits use magic and they can end up in Satanism, there are three types of mermaid spirits, they are manjuzu enhope, they dream of spirits and fetch medicine in rivers, then there are some spirits who make people rich.”

Nyasha Simon, an expert on the subject, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the potential for exploitation and the importance of approaching such practices with caution. “Manjuzu are there but many people especially us young women, are abusing them and being conned by fake prophets all in the name of getting rich quickly. So, if you go to rivers with a hidden agenda you can end up drowning because you won’t get along with the mermaid spirits,” she explained.

Commissioner Nyathi urged the public to exercise caution when near rivers and dams and to avoid engaging in activities that could endanger their lives. “As police, we continue to urge members of the public to be very cautious when in rivers, dams and to avoid engaging in life-threatening activities. We have lost lives that could have been saved if due caution was observed,” he said.

He added that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the drownings. “Investigations are continuing with a view to ascertain what actually transpired,” Comm Nyathi said.

The concept of Manjuzu has been around for some time. Four years ago, H-Metro reported that the Manjuzu cult was spreading in this country. Many of the women are believed to have been initiated into the Manjuzu cult in return for a prosperous lavish life but the oath consequences are said to be dire.

Caroline Mhenza, a Manjuzu based in Chitungwiza, even revealed her lifestyle following her initiation into the cult. “Everything is just super, I’ve never had any misfortune of any sort since my realisation that ndine Shave re njuzu. I have all that I need in life, zvitori bho, no problems.”

She said the cult was not harmful and it was a wrong perception spread by Christians. “In fact, ma Christians vanoda kuzviita vatsvene vachitaura zvavasingazive. Hakusi kuromba or anything, varipandiri vanondionesa zvizvhinji, I do all I can semunhu akasarudzwa,” she said.

Another Manjuzu, who preferred anonymity, said: “People don’t understand that hakusi kuromba, zvinhu zvakauya ndisina kutsvaga. Handisini ndakazvitsvaga asi ndakasarudzwa. Ndinoona zvakawanda and chipo chandakagara ndinacho handina kuzvisarudza. Kuti zvese zvibude, zvifambe ndivo vakandigara.”

Apostle Bigboy Kathumba claimed the water spirits which have spread among Zimbabweans was an anti-marriage spirit which makes the Manjuzu love partying and “overdressing.” He claimed the mermaid gives the victims wealth for a short period before taking it away.

“The Manjuzu is now a cult that has taken over among young people and has also spread into churches even praise and worship. Pastors are also into it, that is why muchinzwa kuti pastor awanikwa nemukadzi wemunhu. Vakadzi vazhinji vakaroorwa, vakafirwa, vari single vava kuita zve matare enjuzu kana kuti vava ana Manjuzu. It’s also involving young men who have no working history but end up with unaccountable riches. There are signs that one is now a Manjuzu or has mashavi enjuzu.”




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