Injiva urinates in supermarket

An injiva who urinated inside Lucky 7 Supermarket next to Konron in Lobengula, Bulawayo, on Sunday

BUSINESS came to a standstill at a supermarket in Bulawayo's Lobengula West suburb at the weekend when an injiva unzipped his trousers, took out his manhood and relieved himself in front of customers.

The incident, which occurred at about 11am at the Lucky 7 Branch, next to Konron Supermarket on Sunday, ignited anti-injiva sentiments in the suburb.

The injiva, identified as Butho, was reportedly protesting against finding the toilet locked at Lucky 7. Workers at the supermarket refused to speak to the Press.

However, customers who witnessed the incident said it was a sign of disrespect.

"Butho was drunk. They should have called the police to arrest him. We all did not know where to look, when he decided to disrespect everyone. These people only behave in this manner in Zimbabwe where they give themselves celebrity status. They do not do such despicable things in South Africa," said Clement Moyo, 24.

"There is a place where people roast meat behind the supermarket. When there is no water in the suburb, the supermarket closes the toilets. Butho refused to accept the explanation and embarrassed everyone."

Another customer, Lungile Moyo said Butho was involved in a scuffle with supermarket workers as they tried to make him clean up his mess.

"He did it just inside the door of the supermarket, near the braai place. Workers at the supermarket tried to make him clean up but he threatened them. I do not believe that boy is a proper injiva.

"He is one of those people who just start saying mara mara, the moment they get to Musina," said Moyo.

Chronicle caught up with Butho as he staggered out of the supermarket with his friends.

He could hardly construct a coherent sentence when the newscrew asked him why he had exposed himself in public.

"Mara nex bra.... mara sungikhuphile ephepheni, Mara akulandaba (there is nothing my brother… You have published what has happened here in the newspaper, it does not matter)," said Butho, slurring his words.

Injiva, a popular name for Zimbabweans who work in neighbouring South Africa, are famous for causing havoc in the country during the festive season.

Only last week, two injiva brothers Ephraim and Alfred Tshuma beat up their uncle and attacked mourners at their homestead in Chief Gampu area accusing them of practising  witchcraft.

They alleged villagers had connived to bury their father in their absence, to cover up bewitching him.  The injivas' uncle, Adam Tshuma, sustained a deep cut on the head and was treated at Ntoli Clinic.

The brothers are now on the police wanted list after fleeing from the village soon after committing the crime. Plumtree magistrate Livard Philemon, during the same week, advised a 73-year-old injiva to behave like a parent after the court learnt that he had been assaulting his 55-year-old niece in a bid to evict her from her fields.

Loveness Mkhwebu, a widow, had told the court on Thursday that her uncle, Philemon Ncube wanted to hand over the field to his son.