The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
THE family of an assistant driver who was involved in a road accident in 2003 is facing the wrath of an avenging spirit of a man who died in the accident.
The Chikandidano family claims that the spirit of Justin Saungweme, who died in the accident, is haunting them.
When the assistant driver, Matthew Chakandidano, appeared before Headman Chigodora’s court recently, he said on the day of the accident, he was working with another driver (name not supplied), whom he alleges hit and killed Saungweme.
Chakandidano claimed that Saungweme’s spirit is tormenting him since he did not attend his funeral.
“We were driving past Saburi Business Centre when my driver and mentor hit Saungweme, his friend. When the driver realised what had happened, he disembarked from the vehicle and rushed to the police to report the accident. He left me at the accident scene with Saungweme’s body under the vehicle.
“When villagers arrived, they assumed that I was the one who had been driving and that l had killed the man. They did not wait for an explanation and attacked me. I lost some teeth during that fracas. However, when the police eventually arrived with the driver, I was released by the angry mob and the driver was arrested.
“After that, I did not attend Saungweme’s funeral as I was angry over the attack. I never went to the Saungweme family to pay my respects. While I was angry, I was also afraid that the family would assault me,” he said.
Chakandidano said he regrets not attending Saungweme’s funeral since the avenging spirit is causing havoc within his family.
He said the spirit is causing mental illness among his family members.
David Saungweme
“Apart from being mentally challenged, my relatives are also developing epilepsy. The seizures are very serious and we are always in hospital. However, when we get to the hospital, the seizures stop and the doctors fail to diagnose any ailment. As we speak, two children are having severe seizures at home, and I do not know if they are safe home alone,” said Chakandidano.
However, the Saungweme family refused to attend the court session and sent the deceased’s son, David Saungweme, to inform the court of their decision.
“I do not think the matter should continue in my family’s absence. Everyone has refused to attend the court session because they are still angry that this man did not attend my father’s funeral even though he was there when he died,” he said.
Headman Chigodora referred the matter to Acting Chief Zimunya’s court where it will be heard on Sunday.
The Headman also told Chakandidano and his family to appease the avenging spirit.
“It is an avenging spirit even though you did not kill him. You are the last person he saw before he died. His spirit will continue haunting you until you appease it. It was an accident, but you should have attended the funeral. That was uncustomary of you.
You are neighbours with these people, but decided not to attend the funeral,” said Headman Chigodora.
