The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Correspondent
THE spirit of an accident victim who died in Nyanyadzi after being run over by a tractor in 1961 is now tormenting the driver’s family.
The deceased, Chidhinha Nemakonde, who was only six when he was crushed to death by his nephew, Fungai Tambarare, allegedly started demanding compensation 14 years after his death.
Feeling cornered, the Tambarares handed over Anna Tambarare to the Nemakondes in an effort to appease Chidhinha’s spirit.
However, when Anna got married to another man, the wrath of Chidhinha’s spirit shifted to her new family.
All this was revealed at Chief Mutambara’s court last week on Friday when Tambarare Tambarare dragged his uncle, Charles Nemakonde, to the traditional court seeking reprieve.
Charles is a brother to the deceased.
He said apart from the demands of a wife, Chidhinda’s spirit is also demanding that the Tambarares pay two beasts and US$700, as well as apologise to his family.
“When Chidhinha died, they (the Tambarares) did not even attend the funeral, let alone contribute something towards the funeral as is the norm. My brother is really angry. Ask Tambarare, he will tell you what the spirit is saying when it manifests,” said Charles.
Tambarare confirmed that the spirit is always furious each time it manifests on Anna, claiming that Fungai never apologised for causing his death.
“The deceased claims that our family never attended his funeral. I was yet to be born as this happened in 1961. I was later informed by other relatives that my elder brother, Fungai, killed our uncle Chindinha in an accident a long time ago.
“The spirit says Anna is his wife. This is disturbing her marriage. She has since been brought back home by our in-laws. Each time the spirit manifests on her, she attacks her husband claiming that she belongs to the spirit,” said Tambarare.
Fungai, who was absent during the court hearing, was employed as a tractor driver at a farm in Nyanyadzi when he ran over Chidhinha. The Tambarare family has since handed over one beast to the Nemakondes. They are also raising the required money.
Chief Mutambara advised them to raise the money quickly to appease the avenging spirit.
He, however, told the Nemakonde family that it is against the law to use a human being to appease an avenging spirit.
