Proceedings at Chief Mutasa’s community court were interrupted when an alleged avenging spirit (ngozi) manifested and demanded 80 head of cattle from a man convicted of murder.
The incident happened when Moses Saunyama appeared before the traditional court seeking readmission into the community.
Saunyama was convicted of murdering Robert Masasa in 2016 and served a prison sentence. He told the court that since his release this year, he has struggled to reintegrate because the Masasa family has refused to forgive him, despite his efforts to seek reconciliation.
According to Saunyama, tensions between the two families stem from the death of Masasa’s brother’s daughter, Sarah, whose body was found in a local dam in 2015.
He said Masasa visited his homestead with his mother-in-law on 14 December 2016. They had a misunderstanding, and Masasa left, but returned the following morning and confronted him. The confrontation escalated when Masasa asked him to accompany him to a nearby school.
“I refused to go with him, and he became angry. He assaulted me with fists. I sat down, but he continued attacking me, forcing me to defend myself,” Saunyama said.
He said he stabbed Masasa with a hunting knife he had been using to fit window panes.
“He walked away bleeding heavily and managed to move about five metres before becoming weak and sitting down. I changed my clothes and reported the matter to the police,” he said.
He was later arrested, convicted and jailed.
Saunyama said he approached the Masasa family after his release because they are neighbours, but they refused to engage him and told him to bring the matter before the chief.
The hearing took an unusual turn when a spirit, purportedly that of the late Masasa, allegedly manifested through his brother.
The manifestation claimed Masasa’s death had left his family shattered and his homestead deserted, preventing his spirit from resting.
“My homestead is now deserted. My three wives and six children have left, and no one remains there since my death. My spirit is roaming. I need to rest and will only find peace when my family is reunited. My parents are still grieving,” the alleged spirit said.
It claimed compensation was necessary for the deceased’s spirit to find peace and for the bereaved family to find closure.
It initially demanded 80 cattle from Saunyama alone, alleging he had not told the full truth about the killing.
“He should tell the truth about what happened. I want 80 cattle from Saunyama alone. He did not kill me alone. His brother, Paul Guta, and Saunyama’s two wives, Memory and Martha, also took part in my death. I will pursue them as well,” it said.
The spirit also demanded the removal of a tree reportedly planted at the scene of the murder and the production of blood-stained clothes allegedly worn by Guta at the time.
“I also demand that the tree planted where I was killed be removed because it is preventing me from avenging my death against Guta. He planted it to stop me from seeking vengeance,” the spirit said.
Chief Mutasa ruled that the demand of 80 cattle was excessive, noting that Saunyama had already served a prison sentence for the offence.
Following his intervention, the claim was reduced to 20 cattle, with 10 to be paid as live beasts and the balance converted to cash at US$400 per beast.
In his ruling, Chief Mutasa urged the Saunyama family to help him meet the agreed compensation and called on both families to reconcile.
“The matter should end in peace. The two families must find a way to reconcile and move forward together as members of the same community,” he said.
More: The Manica Post
Pindula WhatsApp Channel
Facebook Page
Leave a Reply