Granny drowns grandson in failed cleansing ceremony

By Staff Reporter
A woman from Zvishavane is alleged to have killed her grandson at a Ngezi River is a suspected case of a cleansing ceremony which had gone wrong.
It has been gathered that on the fateful night an elder brother to the now deceased 10-year-old Ropafadzo Tunhai got into a trance and indicated that his younger brother was being haunted by evil spirits and that he should be cleansed in water for two hours.
Midlands police spokesperson Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the tragic incident.
“A 10-year-old boy died after his grandmother took him to a river for purported cleansing ceremony. The incident occurred at Village 16 Rupemba Chief Mafala, Zvishavane on 19 January 2024 at around 2000hours.
“Circumstances are that at about 1730 hours the suspect Senzakupi Nyoni a female aged 66 was at home with her daughter Svetukai Muruviri aged 36 and two juvenile grandsons. It is said the elder grandson got into a trance and indicated that his young brother Ropafadzo Tunhai aged 10 years was being haunted by evil spirits and that he should be cleansed in water for two hours,” said Mahoko.
It has been revealed that at around 1800 hours the grandmother then escorted the boy to Ngezi River which is about 500 metres from the homestead for the cleansing activity.
“It is alleged that at about 2000 hours Nyoni brought back home a lifeless body of Ropafadzo Tunhai and handed it to his mother Svetukai Muruviri who informed the Village head Moses Msipa a male aged 47 years. The Village advised Muruviri to report the matter to the Police,” he said.
Police attended the scene a day later and the body was conveyed to Zvishavane District Hospital Mortuary.
Meanwhile, the suspect is in police custody assisting police with investigations.
Mahoko is encouraging people to respect the sanctity of life and avoid engaging in risky activities which might lead to loss of life.