Shock as 'ill' man digs own grave

IN a bizarre incident which has left villagers shell shocked, an ill man from Manzimahle area allegedly dug his own grave and watered it daily after being instructed to do so by a traditional healer following his illness.

The cemetery which is 'decorated' with gravel stones has been talk of the village as it is now four years old. In African culture it is taboo for a person to dig his own grave while still alive.

It is alleged that Gampu Mpofu, a former Tsholotsho Council employee dug his own grave after being instructed to do so by a popular traditional healer in the area whom Ndlovu had consulted following an ears related ailment.

Mpofu is said to have been watering the 'ritual' grave in the cover of darkness until the matter spilled to other villagers.

Upon being tracked by a local tabloid Mpofu could not be located but his wife Enesia Ndlovu confirmed the bizarre incident saying her husband dug the grave after consulting a traditional healer.

"He dug it (grave) after consulting a traditional healer," the wife said.

"He turns violent every time I confront him about his strange doings," the woman said, adding: "He has since evicted me form our bedroom and doesn't allow anyone to get into the room."

The matter allegedly came to light when one of Mpofu's children fell ill. The family, sources said, consulted prophets who told them about the grave – which according to the prophets was bringing a curse to the family.

The wife Enesia said she sought the intervention of traditional leaders to have their home cleansed since it was now a 'death trap.' She said the grave was covered with soil and several traditional paraphernalia was removed from it including a bottle of blood which is suspected to have been kept by her husband.