Zimbabwe 'satanists' torment SA man

A South African man says he is living in fear after alleged satanists based in Zimbabwe threatened to kill his children when he refused to supply them with human body parts.

Donald Eunice, 35, of Free State in the neighbouring country on Friday narrated how he was recruited by the satanists, who he said were from a local church (name withheld).

The accused church leaders were not at their place of worship yesterday and so cannot be named.

Speaking a combination of Zulu, Setswana and Afrikaans, Eunice said church members invited him to Zimbabwe early this year - having recruited him in South Africa in 2002 - and gave him details of his gory mission.

He was allegedly promised riches beyond his wildest dreams and a Toyota Hilux if he delivered the body parts.

There were also promises that he would be cured of HIV.

"Early this year, I began having dreams in which I was instructed to come to Zimbabwe without telling my neighbours, wife and two daughters aged 13 and nine. I ignored the dreams until I received a phone call from church leaders in Bulawayo telling me they were talking to me through the dream," said Eunice.

"I eventually arrived in Bulawayo on March 5 and they said they had summoned me for an important job in the church. They said they needed me to kill children in South Africa and bring their private parts to Zimbabwe.

"I was shocked. All along I thought we were worshipping God, so I refused to cooperate."

Eunice narrated how the church leaders got angry and told him he would go insane and his children would die before the end of this year.

"I temporarily went insane and lost my passport and luggage. I was eating from dustbins at a place called Egodini (Basch Street Terminus). Sometimes I would recover my senses and wonder what I was doing there. Some people told me to go to Pumula and see a prophet Ngwenya for assistance," he said.

Eunice said he walked to Pumula but failed to see Ngwenya because there were too many people.

He said he eventually met Pastor Ayanda Mabhena of the Twelve Apostles of Christ Church in Pumula East on Thursday April 17, after wandering as a vagrant for more than a month.

Pastor Ayanda Mabhena told Chronicle that they prayed for the South African until he regained his senses.

The pastor said Eunice told them his story and also gave them his wife's phone number in South Africa.

Pastor Mabhena said they also reported the matter at Pumula Police Station.

"The satanists tried to kill him by making a snake like creature run under his skin whenever he talked about them, but through prayer we overcame all that. We are now raising money to return him to South Africa."

In a telephone interview from South Africa, his wife, Meipone Eunice could not hide her joy as she said the family thought Eunice was dead because he had just disappeared from home. The councillor for Pumula East and Pumula Old, Clyton Zana said he met the South African after being invited by residents.

He said they were happy with the cooperation they received from the police over the matter as they promised to assist Eunice to travel back home.

"I think as Bulawayo we should ensure every church is registered and has a building to operate from so that they can be held accountable for their activities," said Clr Zana.

A Bulawayo United Residents Association representative in the suburb, Ntando Moyo, said the government should act to protect citizens from satanic cults that were exploiting poor people.

Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Abedinico Ncube said police did not have a report on the issue.