News / National
Traditional leaders join search for missing tourist in Zim
10 Jan 2014 at 12:35hrs | Views
TRADITIONAL leaders in Nyanga have conducted rituals as the search to locate Zayd Dada, a tourist who disappeared on Inyangani Mountain last Saturday, intensifies. A rescue team comprising representatives of Chief Tangwena, Zimbabwe National Army, the Air Force, Zimbabwe Republic
Police, Zimparks, Mountain Climbers' Association, and Chimanimani Outward-bound, among others, were on Wednesday still battling to find Dada, but locals in the area were hopeful that the search will bear fruit after the performance of the rituals.
The 31-year-old local man of Asian origin had gone hiking with family and friends before he climbed further and left his family behind. He was never seen again.
In an interview in Nyanga on Wednesday, district administrator Mr David Tsatsire said representatives of Chief Tangwena were leading the team and had since performed traditional rituals together with other community leaders to appease the spirits of the sacred mountain.
"We hail the involvement of the traditional leadership. Their 100 percent co-operation is greatly appreciated. The search is still on and Chief Tangwena's representatives as well as other organisations are deep in the thickets of the mountain. The Nyanga community is also co-operating.
This has happened before and we believe his (Zayd) disappearance has got something to do with myths surrounding the sacred mountain. We are, however, hopeful that he will come out alive and kicking," he said.
Members of the Zimbabwe National Army conducted a search aboard a helicopter, but could not find him. Bad weather also reportedly affected their search.
The mountain has a fair share of some strange and unusual things that took place in it in the past.
The attractive and scenic mountain, according to villagers, has swallowed more than five people since 1980 including a former minister, Mr Tichaendepi Masaya's two daughters, who were never seen again.
Zayd's family and friends are, however, hopeful that he will be found alive.
His cousin, Mr Rhehan Khan, believes that Zayd could be possibly wandering around the mountain after losing direction.
"We can't rule out anything. We are hopeful that Zayd will come out alive and reunite with us again. We would like to thank the rescue teams comprising the ZNA, ZRP, community leaders and the rest of the Nyanga community for concerted efforts in searching for him," said Mr Khan.
His friend and Mutare businessman Ali Bhadhella said: "He went out with his family for mountain climbing on Saturday morning. He went a bit further while his family waited for him. He never appeared. We conducted a search soon after learning of his disappearance and tracked him down in Gairezi and Nyazungu areas, but to no avail. We hope the rescue team will find him."
Police, Zimparks, Mountain Climbers' Association, and Chimanimani Outward-bound, among others, were on Wednesday still battling to find Dada, but locals in the area were hopeful that the search will bear fruit after the performance of the rituals.
The 31-year-old local man of Asian origin had gone hiking with family and friends before he climbed further and left his family behind. He was never seen again.
In an interview in Nyanga on Wednesday, district administrator Mr David Tsatsire said representatives of Chief Tangwena were leading the team and had since performed traditional rituals together with other community leaders to appease the spirits of the sacred mountain.
"We hail the involvement of the traditional leadership. Their 100 percent co-operation is greatly appreciated. The search is still on and Chief Tangwena's representatives as well as other organisations are deep in the thickets of the mountain. The Nyanga community is also co-operating.
This has happened before and we believe his (Zayd) disappearance has got something to do with myths surrounding the sacred mountain. We are, however, hopeful that he will come out alive and kicking," he said.
Members of the Zimbabwe National Army conducted a search aboard a helicopter, but could not find him. Bad weather also reportedly affected their search.
The mountain has a fair share of some strange and unusual things that took place in it in the past.
The attractive and scenic mountain, according to villagers, has swallowed more than five people since 1980 including a former minister, Mr Tichaendepi Masaya's two daughters, who were never seen again.
Zayd's family and friends are, however, hopeful that he will be found alive.
His cousin, Mr Rhehan Khan, believes that Zayd could be possibly wandering around the mountain after losing direction.
"We can't rule out anything. We are hopeful that Zayd will come out alive and reunite with us again. We would like to thank the rescue teams comprising the ZNA, ZRP, community leaders and the rest of the Nyanga community for concerted efforts in searching for him," said Mr Khan.
His friend and Mutare businessman Ali Bhadhella said: "He went out with his family for mountain climbing on Saturday morning. He went a bit further while his family waited for him. He never appeared. We conducted a search soon after learning of his disappearance and tracked him down in Gairezi and Nyazungu areas, but to no avail. We hope the rescue team will find him."
Source - Manicapost
