The Njelele shrine near Matobo in Matabeleland South province was bombed by unknown people who used mining explosives on Friday night. The unknown perpetrators also looted and destroyed traditional artefacts. The shrine is considered sacred and is used to for rainmaking ceremonies and healing.
A source who spoke to Newsday said,
Njelele Shrine has been bombed. Khulu (Solifa Ncube, the caretaker) said on Friday he left all in order at the shrine. I went on Saturday and we discovered that the rock, which covers the shrine, was bombed using mining explosives. They also destroyed the pots in the shrine and looted most of the traditional artefacts which were stored in the shrine.
They went inside the cave and destroyed the pots and also put explosives, destroying the stuff inside. Khulu said during the week, he found salt sprinkled all over the shrine and there are a lot of men from apostolic sects who are claiming to be praying on Matobo mountains and we wonder if it’s only in Matobo where there are mountains. Our tradition and culture is being destroyed in front of us.
More: NewsDay
lupane is in mat north and not south, gwanda is the admin city for mat south