The ManicaPost
Kudakwashe Chidziya Post Correspondent
THE avenging spirit of a Zimunya man – who was allegedly food-poisoned in 2002 – is tormenting its killer by following and appearing to him wherever he goes, prompting him to approach the victim’s relatives to confess.
The self-confessing killer – Gilbert Mapisa, who is in his 60s – shocked many when he finally claimed responsibility for the death of Samuel Makarange in 2002.
Mapisa approached Makarange’s brother, Patrick (58), recently complaining that he was seeing the images of the deceased on daily basis.
However, when Mapisa was dragged to Chief Zimunya’s traditional court, he could neither confirm nor deny the offence.
Chief Zimunya ordered the two families, together with his aides, to approach a traditional healer of their choice for necromancy.
The two families opted for a neutral traditional healer in Mozambique where the 2002 murder was explained in detail.
The Mozambique-based traditional healer (name withheld) stirred and communicated with the spirit of the late Makarange, who demanded to know why Mapisa had killed him.
Initially, Gilbert had hesitantly refused, but later admitted after the traditional healer gave a detailed account of how Makarange, who consumed poisoned beer died eight days later.
With tears on his cheeks, Mapisa later confessed and pleaded for forgiveness.
This left the Makaranges fuming with rage, and Chief Zimunya’s aides worked tirelessly to restrain them from pouncing on the hapless Mapisa.
The traditional healer ordered the two families to remain calm and organise a cleansing ceremony.
The cleansing ceremony was conducted last Saturday at Makarange’s homestead in Chikukurume village.
It was attended by family members and neighbours.
“He appears to me daily, I see him at my house everyday; it is true that I see him on daily basis. Wherever I go, be it to the beer hall, he appears, even if I sleep away from home, in the bush, he still appears. He keeps appearing, even if I try to avoid him, he keeps appearing. I cannot hide away from him,” Mapisa said.
“It just happened as we were drinking beer. Forgive me, I killed you and I plead your case. I will comply and fulfil the penalty metted on me by the Makaranges to have peace between our families. I admit, I was wrong and I will pay all the dues,” said Mapisa.
Chief Zimunya ordered him to pay seven cattle.
Patrick Makarange said Mapisa had paid the seven cattle as ordered by Chief Zimunya.
“We received the seven cattle and US$250 for the other cow. He funded the cleansing ceremony held last Saturday,” he said.
Makarange said the family will leave it to the deceased’s spirit to spell out how it intends to be appeased if not content with the seven cows adjudicated by the traditional leader.
