BY JAMES MUONWA/NUNURAI JENA
Police have arrested a self-styled prophet in Chinhoyi following the death of two people who consumed a concoction he administered in two separate incidents.
Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara yesterday confirmed the arrest of Agillbert Mwanza (25) of house number 3340 Cherima, on culpable homicide charges.
Police said the first incident occurred on July 12 when five people including the now-deceased Memory Ndaizivei, Selina Kanyemba, Joylene Kanyemba, Blessing Muche and Chipo Kaseke visited the prophet for cleansing.
During the visit, the accused gave the women a mixture of vinegar, raw eggs and fresh milk to drink.
“Soon after consuming the concoction, all five women started vomiting while complaining of severe stomach pain,” Mabgweazara said.
The women were rushed to hospital, where Ndaizivei died while four others were treated and discharged.
In another incident, on the same day, Thulani Chitumbu (30) and Sheila Chirombo of Lion’s Den, who were due to get married, visited the “prophet” to get anointing for their marriage.
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Police said the couple was told to drink the same mixture, resulting in both suffering acute abdominal pain.
Two days later, the duo’s condition deteriorated and were rushed to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, where Chitumbu died upon admission.
The cases were reported to police, leading to accused’s arrest and recovery of the deadly concoction.
Chitumbu’s girlfriend is still battling for life in hospital.
Police advised the public against drinking unknown substances to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.
“We advise people not to fall for these dubious characters, (be they) prophets or n’angas, on things they are given to eat. We also warn these prophets who want to get money that the law will take its course” Mabgweazara said.
Meanwhile, police have arrested 34-year-old Enock Nyamani in connection with a robbery which occurred in Beitbridge last month where US$4 500 and ZAR569 000 were stolen.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police received information that the suspect was in Beitbridge and intended to cross the border into South Africa in a Ford Ranger King Cab suspected to have been bought using the proceeds of the robbery. He appealed for information on other members of the gang only known by their pseudo names, Doubt, Mancani, Small and Justice.
