The Sunday News
Sharon Chimenya, Masvingo Correspondent
IN an incident that has shocked villagers under Chief Mapanzure in Masvingo, three men drowned in a river during a religious ceremony allegedly casting out demons.
The three unidentified men had escorted Pastor Amos Chituri (49) to the river to cast out demons from one of his congregants when they started speaking in tongues and then “disappeared into the river”. Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident.
“On 14 July, Pastor Amos Chituri of Manyangadze Village, Chief Mutasa, Mutare of Agnes Access Apostolic Church had visited one of his congregants to pray for his child who was not feeling well at Tazvigwira Village, Chief Mapanzure and was accompanied by three unidentified men.
“On 15 July around 3pm the Pastor prophesied that he wanted to pray for one of his congregants at the river in order to cast out the evil spirits. On 16 July they went to the river for prayers. During the exercise a loud sound came out from the river and congregants that had accompanied the pastor started speaking in tongues and rushed into the river leaving the pastor alone on the bank. After a few minutes the Pastor saw a man identified as Victor floating on the water and he rushed in and saved him. After about an hour the Pastor saw Blessed Dombo floating on water and was unharmed. The other three men did not resurface,” he said.
Insp Dhewa said the other villagers who ran to the scene after hearing the loud sound kept guard at the river performing rituals.
The matter was reported to the police and investigations are underway.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, a 32-year-old man, Maxwell Vengai of Dambo Village, Chief Budzi, Bikita was killed by his friend Wilson Muburirwa (32) following a misunderstanding over a US$1 change.
“On 21 July Vengai and Muburirwa were drinking beer at Chikuku Business Centre and around 2pm Vengai was sent to buy beer which they would drink on their way home. At around 5pm at Mushambanevhu Business Centre, Muburirwa asked for his change from Vengai, who told him there was no change for the opaque beer they had bought. There was a misunderstanding and Muburirwa took out a knife and stabbed Vengai once in the stomach.”
Insp Dhewa said Vengai was rushed to Chikuku Hospital by Admire Dambo and Simon Mandivenga where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The police urged members of the public to resolve their disputes amicably.
