Avenging spirit of a girlfriend wreaks havoc

AN avenging spirit of a girlfriend is now demanding appeasement from Dudzai Marware after 36 years since her murder.

This was revealed by Marware at acting Chief Zimunya's court on Sunday where he was seeking help from the traditional leader.

Marware revealed that his girlfriend, Lenah Dzaida, was murdered and hanged in a toilet at his friend, George Chaeruka's house at House Number 17, Chitungo, Sakubva, in 1978.

Marware, who was single and 26 years back then, said on the fateful day, he had asked his friend Chaeruka for a love-nest for the day.

Chaeruka gave him the place and the two enjoyed their day. However, Chaeruka's girlfriend later came during the day and caused a scene at the house.

"Chaeruka's girlfriend caused a scene at the house after finding us there. Chaeruka came to explain the situation to his girlfriend, but she would have none of it. Chaeruka decided we leave the women at the house and go to his brother's house at the Railways staff quarters in Sakubva.

"When we arrived there, Chaeruka and his brother left me and said they had urgent business to attend, but would come back in a little while.

"I waited for a while, but when it got late, I decided to go and see my girlfriend only to be told by neighbours there that her body had been found hanging in the toilet.

"I was shocked and decided to go to the police and report the matter," said Marware.

He said back then he did not suspect the hand of his friend George in the matter, but it was only now after the avenging spirit started haunting him that he now wants the truth to come out.

Marware said the avenging spirit of Lenah started tormenting him in 2013, but since June last year, things had not been going well for him, which prompted him to seek the counsel of the chief.

He, however, said he was surprised why the spirit was still tormenting her, considering that he had customarily paid lobola for Lenah in 1982 after the issue had been brought before Headman Nhewangura's court in Chigodora.

"Since June last year things have not been going well for me. I asked Headman Nhewangura to summon my in-laws from the Dzaida family to ask them if I had not finished paying my dues.

"I also asked them if they ever uncovered how Lenah had died after telling them about how she was haunting me. They asked me why I never bothered to uncover the truth about her death all these years.

"However, for some time now she has not been haunting me, but I now want to have the truth said about her death. I want my friend Chaeruka to be summoned to let the world know what happened in 1978," said Marware. Chaeruka, who was sitting by his side, baffled the court when asked to give his side of the story and started by declaring that he did not know Marware. However, as he was being further cross-examined he admitted he knew him, but claimed Marware was a conman.

"This is my first time hearing this story. I have never seen this person. He (Marware is a conman . . ."

After being quizzed he then changed his story and said: "His young brother was the one who was my friend. Marware's eldest wife is also my sister and that is how I know him," said Chaeruka as people who attended the court jeered in scepticism.

Acting Chief Zimunya said both Marware and Chaeruka had a case to answer.

"You will both have to be examined for the truth to come out. You will have to look for $170, which will be for the services of the traditional healer and $30 each for the two chiefs' aides who will escort you," said Chief Zimunya.

The two set May 24 as the date to visit the healer.

Acting Chief Zimunya, however, cautioned Chaeruka, who is also an assessor at the traditional court in Chigodora, to have more respect for the traditional court.

He said there were several stories doing rounds about his insubordination in Chigodora area.