TRAGEDY AS ZIONIST DROWNS DURING KUPHAHLA

ZOMBODZE – A ritualistic prayer expedition ended in tragedy when a man, who had gone to perform kuphahla at the Manzamnyama River, tragically slipped and drowned in front of his fellow church members.

The incident happened on Friday evening while the man, along with members of the Zion Church, had travelled to the prominent river at Zombodze to perform kuphahla. It was reported that the man, who attended a church in Siteki, regularly visited the river with the congregants for such rituals, and this was not an uncommon practice for them. A visit to the area by this publication yesterday around noon revealed groups of people, both men and women, making their way up the hill towards the river. Some were dressed in bright and colourful uniforms of the Zion Church, while others wore casual clothing.

They were carrying various items, including buckets and plastic bags. Among them were traditional healers. As they made their way to the river, some could be heard chanting prayers. Upon reaching the river, a group of church members were seen gathered on the banks, seemingly deep in prayer before entering the water. Among them were several children, and they were carrying candles, eggs and bottles thought to contain tiwasho, a traditional mixture used in spiritual practices. The church leader led the believers into the river, where they began sprinkling salt and praying fervently in the water.

Sizwe Tsela, a local community member, explained that the deceased and his fellow worshippers arrived at the river around 5pm on Friday to begin their prayers. After performing the kuphahla ceremony, they reportedly entered the water to conduct their rituals. Tragically, it was then that the man reportedly slipped and fell ainto the river, disappearing beneath the surface. "The others waited for him and, around 7pm, they saw a hand raised from the water. They believed it was his, but they couldn't reach him. The water was clear at the time," Tsela said. The resident narrated that by 7am on the following morning, the police had been alerted and responded promptly. Scuba divers were said to have been deployed to recover the body, which was later confirmed to be that of the 34-year-old man of KaPhunga.

Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer confirmed the incident, stating that the man had drowned while praying at Manzamnyama River at Nkamanzi. She added that his body was retrieved from the water later that day.While law enforcement said the man died as a result of drowning, some community members believe that there may be a spiritual force at play behind the deaths of those who perform rituals at the river. Locals have long suspected that the river has a mysterious, almost supernatural power, with many residents claiming that at least two deaths occur in the river each year during ritualistic ceremonies.

Makhanya Makhanya, President of the Witchdoctors’ Association, commented on the powerful spiritual forces associated with water. He explained that people who enter water to pray or perform rituals are often engaging with the unseen world."Water holds immense power. Those who do not have knowledge or skill to mix their remedies correctly before entering the water may expose themselves to dangerous spiritual forces,” Makhanya asserted.

Makhanya also referenced the Bible, stating that even the Bible substantiated that there is a ‘great power’ that governs everything in the water. He warned that without the proper knowledge of how to prepare tiwasho, those who pray in the river may be vulnerable to the creatures that dwell within it. "The spirit of the deceased was likely consumed by these creatures," Makhanya said. He further advised those who perform water rituals to seek guidance on the proper spiritual preparations.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: