Man commits suicide after receiving prayers from Johane Masowe

The Epworth man who was affected by his brother's sexual escapades with a Nyau Dancer's wife (mukadzi wechigure) has died.

Cuthbert Kundi Vera committed suicide by diving into a dam known as the Black Pool where he drowned in Epworth. Cuthbert had escaped from apostolic sect members who were praying for him after his violent behaviour suspected to have been fuelled by evil spirits and a spell attacked him.

Cuthbert spent the night receiving prayers at Johane Masowe Wechishanu shrine tied withe ropes before they released him around midday when they ended their traditional weekly gatherings. The now deceased man had been taken to the shrine by his wife and his mother Winnet Mutare (61) after suffering from a weird condition that had mysterious voices coming out from within him. His body was retrieved by Chikurubi police sub aqua unit.

Cuthbert's wife collapsed upon learning of the news of her husband's death. The deceased's mother, Winnet, said Cuthbert spent the whole night tied with ropes as he received prayers before Madzibaba ordered his release at around 3pm when their traditional prayers had ended. The man is said to have left the shrine before he turned and sprinted towards the dam as church members started at him, according to the deceased's mother.

"Madzibaba left my son untied forgetting that he was tied the whole night. I brought him yesterday after he was attacked by evil spirits and he was shouting the name of the person whose wife cheated with his young brother Justin. Justin confessed that he had sex with a married woman and he complained that worms were attacking his manhood . He spent the whole night trying to pull out his organs prompting his friend to tell us that he had cheated with a married woman," said the two brothers' mother.

"Justin's friend led us to the man and he acknowledged the developments. We approached a traditional healer who asked us to pay US$20 and Cuthbert paid it on his behalf, from that day he has not been well leading me to take him for prayers. I am appealing for help because as we speak Justin is tied up with ropes after he refused medication at the clinic and they referred me to Harare Hospital. The problem looks spiritual and I prefer spiritual help," said Winnet.

The 61-year-old woman was hesitant to reveal the demands of the Nyau dancer amid reports that he demanded that she beds her son to cure the condition.

"Please allow me to follow proceedings at the pool but just note that some of the reports are not true," she said.

The 'Black Pool' has claimed lives of several residents and it has also been used as a dumping site by criminals.