Prophetic rituals led to children's deaths and haunting by snake spirit

A 53-year-old woman from Hatcliffe, Harare, originally from Marembera in Uzumba, Murehwa, says two of her children mysteriously died after a prophet poured two buckets of water over her in a ritual meant to "cleanse" her of bad luck. The ritual, performed by a prophet from the Johane Masowe Nyenyedzi Nomwe sect, has since left her haunted and suffering what she believes are spiritual attacks.

Rodah Penzwa, who once worshipped at the apostolic sect, revealed that the troubles began after she underwent a spiritual initiation ceremony which included being allegedly possessed by snake and goblin spirits.

"I feel a snake slithering all over my body, especially around my legs. At times, it comes out through the crown of my head. This snake has a human head and sexually violates me either while I'm asleep or fully awake," said Penzwa.

She said the problems began after she was anointed with a milk-infused liquid by the sect leader, who claimed to be driving away evil spirits and fortifying her. But shortly after the ritual, her son and daughter died within a short space of time, without having shown any signs of illness.

"I attended both funerals one after the other. I never went back to that shrine after other prophets told me that I had been spiritually manipulated and had my destiny taken away," Penzwa explained.

She later approached the same prophet for deliverance from the snake and goblins she believes were tormenting her, but he insisted she first return to the same church for him to help her.

"He said he couldn't help me unless I came back to his shrine. I lost two children in unexplained circumstances. Now I'm left with five children, but none of them want to come home. They all accuse me of being a witch," she lamented.

Penzwa says her entire extended family now labels her a witch due to the spiritual oaths and rituals performed on her.

"There are times I physically transform into a snake, and I see my face change to that of a snake. I'm tired of being treated like a wife by this spirit snake every night. Even going to the toilet has become a challenge. All this happens with my husband present," she said.

"I can no longer live a normal life. Our bedroom is filled with large mysterious cats and lizards. I don't know where they come from," she added.

Penzwa also said she sometimes struggles to breathe and feels like she is being strangled by invisible forces.

"I've consulted various prophets and traditional healers, but nothing has helped. My husband is also worn out by all this. My children now believe I'm a witch because of the things I received from this prophet. But I'm not into witchcraft," she insisted.

She says she can no longer work due to being constantly afflicted by the snake spirit that claims her as its spiritual spouse.

Despite the severity of her condition, Penzwa admits she has never sought help at a hospital, believing her case requires traditional or spiritual intervention.

Traditional healer Letwin Manguwo, popularly known as Gogo Mamoyo, believes the prophet in question may have transferred his own spiritual burdens onto Penzwa.

"This woman needs urgent help before the situation gets worse. That prophet is cruel," said Gogo Mamoyo.

Madzibaba Owen Chingondi of Chitungwiza echoed the same concerns, describing the incident as one of serious spiritual manipulation.

"It's tragic that someone seeking help ends up burdened with such heavy spiritual baggage. She may not even understand when or how it all started. She needs to consult a skilled spiritual medium for proper guidance. It's also possible the prophet is not to blame, but only a reading by a professional will clarify things," said Madzibaba Owen.