(Last Updated on January 22, 2013 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – FIVE people were killed after a suspected mysterious lightning bolt struck at a house where a businessman was consulting a sangoma in Zengeza yesterday on broad daylight.
Among the dead was a seven-month old child and the sangoma whom the businessman had come to consult. The sad development is suspected to be a ‘lightning manufacturing’ process that went sour and hit back at its source, suggested neighbours.
The businessman identified as Clever Kamudzeya was reportedly at the sangoma, Speakmore Mandere known as Sekuru Shumba’s lodgings for consultations at number 4 Ndororo Street Zengeza 2 when the weird lightning struck.
His wife and the sangoma’s wife were rushed to hospital for treatment. Scores of people gathered to witness the strange phenomenon, whose vibration affected houses within the 50 meters radius destroying windows and asbestos sheets.
Chunks of human flesh were picked from a distance, on roof tops and trees at other people’s houses.
Bodies of the deceased including a seven months child who was trapped by the wall were severely burnt and covered in blankets.
Police officer in charge at St Mary’s police station, Inspector Daniel Badza confirmed the incident. “We arrived here and reports gathered so far suggest that it was lightning that claimed the lives of five people. This is where the sangoma stayed and the people had come to consult him.” he said.
Speculations of a bomb explosion and gas explosion were rife in the area but the police could not confirm that, until further investigations are complete. “As for the speculation of a bomb, investigations are still in progress and the bomb disposal unit will be called, and they will reveal the truth,” he said.
It could not be ascertained what Kadzeya and his wife were consulting in connection with. “The guy is a businessman and they have been engaged with another sangoma whom they had an argument before they turned to Sekuru Shumba.
“There was a clay pot boiling outside with herbs and the businessman has been here since morning in the room with the sangoma when the lightning struck,” said a source. The businessman’s vehicle registration number AAI 3793 was also not spared of the damage and some of the ‘juju’ like material being recovered from it. Neighbours who spoke to us described the incident as mysterious, with the immediate neighbour Agnes Mugwayo whose house suffered extensive damage saying the incident happened in a flash.
Close sources revealed that the sangoma was on Sunday given notice by his landlord to vacate the premises because of his operations. Another source added that the sangoma was embroiled in fierce legal battle with a man whom he snatched a wife from.
“He was with his wife at the police station on Saturday seeking a protection order against the real owner of his wife,” revealed the source. Another school of thought had it that Sekuru Shumba was also embroiled in a spiritual war with a Malawian sangoma whom he caused to be deported back to Malawi.
Kadzeya’s former wife identified as Spiwe confirmed that he is indeed a businessman. Mukomberwa Road was closed as scores of people thronged the scene leading police to beef up with riot and dog section teams to cordon off the area. Residents were still in fear as others were seen splashing salt around their houses in the belief that it ‘guards’ them from evil forces.
Local nurses had to attend to some of the people who were still feeling weak after they were affected while sitting in their homes. When News Crew left the scene police were still to identify the bodies of the deceased.