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3 women flee sangoma's shrine naked
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Three women from Chitungwiza fled in a state of undress from a sangoma's shrine in Goromonzi on Saturday after a disturbing cleansing ceremony left them frightened and confused.
Pamela Bako, Shillah Mabvudzi, and a third woman known only as Talent had visited the shrine where they were given herbs to consume and apply on a mountain by the traditional healer, Sekuru Sinaro. Soon after, they began feeling dizzy and were taken to a cleansing ritual supervised by Sinaro and two male assistants.
Pamela told H-Metro that she overheard the two aides plotting something sinister and fled the shrine to avoid what she feared was an imminent attack. "I thank my ancestors we managed to escape being raped; we ran into the forest in the dark," she said.
She explained that although they had gone for a cleansing ceremony, the situation deteriorated after they were given medicines to bathe, drink, and wash their hands with. Pamela expressed suspicion about being asked to look into a mirror in a dark room under the watch of two men.
"Sekuru left, promising to come back, and the two men wrestled with us, trying to keep us there. I was carrying my baby and told them I was not going to stay overnight. One man even said Sekuru had enough money to pay for my rent," Pamela recounted.
Fearing they were being forced into a situation where they would be treated as the men's wives overnight, the women ran away separately around 7 pm. Pamela eventually found a main road and secured transport back to Harare, arriving in Budiriro late that night.
"It was a horrible and frightening experience. I regret consulting that sangoma. I was deeply traumatized, especially with a child in my arms," she said.
Shillah sought refuge with Apostle Blessed Mugwambeni, a church leader, who took her to the police station after hearing her distress. Apostle Blessed told H-Metro that when Shillah arrived half-naked, his family initially suspected her of witchcraft due to their prayers against witches.
"After hearing her story, we decided to take her to the police station for safety. Unfortunately, there were no female officers available, and the male officers refused to accommodate her," he said.
Shillah described the ordeal as terrifying. She said they had initially returned to the shrine after sensing something was wrong, but the aides blocked their exit, forcing them to flee and leave their cellphones behind. She later found shelter with a church family.
"It was my first time to visit a sangoma's shrine. We were shocked by the absence of women there," she said.
When contacted, Sekuru Sinaro confirmed the incident, explaining that the women had fled after experiencing disturbing visions during the cleansing, particularly related to what they saw in the mirror, exacerbated by not having washed their faces with the prescribed medicines.
"Two of the three women returned the next morning; the third did not come back. They have been having sex-related nightmares," he said.
The women's cellphones were recovered at the police station. The incident has raised concerns about safety and proper conduct at traditional healing sites in the area.
Pamela Bako, Shillah Mabvudzi, and a third woman known only as Talent had visited the shrine where they were given herbs to consume and apply on a mountain by the traditional healer, Sekuru Sinaro. Soon after, they began feeling dizzy and were taken to a cleansing ritual supervised by Sinaro and two male assistants.
Pamela told H-Metro that she overheard the two aides plotting something sinister and fled the shrine to avoid what she feared was an imminent attack. "I thank my ancestors we managed to escape being raped; we ran into the forest in the dark," she said.
She explained that although they had gone for a cleansing ceremony, the situation deteriorated after they were given medicines to bathe, drink, and wash their hands with. Pamela expressed suspicion about being asked to look into a mirror in a dark room under the watch of two men.
"Sekuru left, promising to come back, and the two men wrestled with us, trying to keep us there. I was carrying my baby and told them I was not going to stay overnight. One man even said Sekuru had enough money to pay for my rent," Pamela recounted.
Fearing they were being forced into a situation where they would be treated as the men's wives overnight, the women ran away separately around 7 pm. Pamela eventually found a main road and secured transport back to Harare, arriving in Budiriro late that night.
"It was a horrible and frightening experience. I regret consulting that sangoma. I was deeply traumatized, especially with a child in my arms," she said.
"After hearing her story, we decided to take her to the police station for safety. Unfortunately, there were no female officers available, and the male officers refused to accommodate her," he said.
Shillah described the ordeal as terrifying. She said they had initially returned to the shrine after sensing something was wrong, but the aides blocked their exit, forcing them to flee and leave their cellphones behind. She later found shelter with a church family.
"It was my first time to visit a sangoma's shrine. We were shocked by the absence of women there," she said.
When contacted, Sekuru Sinaro confirmed the incident, explaining that the women had fled after experiencing disturbing visions during the cleansing, particularly related to what they saw in the mirror, exacerbated by not having washed their faces with the prescribed medicines.
"Two of the three women returned the next morning; the third did not come back. They have been having sex-related nightmares," he said.
The women's cellphones were recovered at the police station. The incident has raised concerns about safety and proper conduct at traditional healing sites in the area.
Source - H-Metro
