News / National
Prophetess sucked into death of neighbour's son
15 Dec 2014 at 07:01hrs | Views
A SELF-STYLED prophetess from Mwenezi belonging to the Johanne Masowe Wechishanu Apostolic sect has been sucked into the death of a neighbour's son who drowned in a dish recently, Chief Maranda has confirmed.
Madzimai Synodia, real name Synodia Moyo, 31, of Village 5, is accused of having prayed for a fellow congregant, Siyaphela Masukume's wife and instructed her to "spill blood" so that she could boost her business and enhance her love life.
Chief Maranda said the incident happened in September after a neighbour, Obey Matavire's son, died mysteriously. This led the family to consult a sangoma who implicated Siyaphela Masukume's family in witchcraft.
He said the two neighbours had a misunderstanding until they dragged each other to the traditional chief's court. "After being accused of witchcraft, Masukume reported the matter to the chief after which a date was set for hearing. Matavire then brought Moyo as a witness," Chief Maranda said.
He said during trial, Matavire said Moyo was responsible for his son's death.
"When asked to give defence on why he was accusing Masukume of bewitching his child, Matavire said Moyo could testify what led to the child's mysterious death.
"The court was told how Moyo, a self-proclaimed prophetess, prayed for Masukume's wife and instructed her to perform some rites in order for her to progress in life.
"Moyo is alleged to have told the woman that if she spilled blood she would be lucky in everything she did and would also boost her vending business," he said.
The case was postponed to Wednesday where a verdict will be passed.
Efforts to contact Prophetess Moyo were fruitless as she was said to be away on church business by her husband John Chigwa, 46, who answered her mobile phone.
Chigwa, however, confirmed that his wife appeared before the chief's court but said she was a witness not an accused person.
"I can confirm that my wife was at the chief's court on Wednesday. However, she was there to give evidence over the death of Matavire's child.
"Masukume complained against Matavire for accusing him of having bewitched his son sometime in September. My wife was there to give evidence of what she knows since we're church mates and we also live in the same village.
"Maybe those who gave you the information could have lied, she's not guilty of any crime. If you want to hear from her you can phone on this number around 8PM when I'll be home," said Chigwa, who works at Mwenezana Estates.
Masukume and Matavire could not be reached for comment.
Madzimai Synodia, real name Synodia Moyo, 31, of Village 5, is accused of having prayed for a fellow congregant, Siyaphela Masukume's wife and instructed her to "spill blood" so that she could boost her business and enhance her love life.
Chief Maranda said the incident happened in September after a neighbour, Obey Matavire's son, died mysteriously. This led the family to consult a sangoma who implicated Siyaphela Masukume's family in witchcraft.
He said the two neighbours had a misunderstanding until they dragged each other to the traditional chief's court. "After being accused of witchcraft, Masukume reported the matter to the chief after which a date was set for hearing. Matavire then brought Moyo as a witness," Chief Maranda said.
He said during trial, Matavire said Moyo was responsible for his son's death.
"When asked to give defence on why he was accusing Masukume of bewitching his child, Matavire said Moyo could testify what led to the child's mysterious death.
"The court was told how Moyo, a self-proclaimed prophetess, prayed for Masukume's wife and instructed her to perform some rites in order for her to progress in life.
"Moyo is alleged to have told the woman that if she spilled blood she would be lucky in everything she did and would also boost her vending business," he said.
Efforts to contact Prophetess Moyo were fruitless as she was said to be away on church business by her husband John Chigwa, 46, who answered her mobile phone.
Chigwa, however, confirmed that his wife appeared before the chief's court but said she was a witness not an accused person.
"I can confirm that my wife was at the chief's court on Wednesday. However, she was there to give evidence over the death of Matavire's child.
"Masukume complained against Matavire for accusing him of having bewitched his son sometime in September. My wife was there to give evidence of what she knows since we're church mates and we also live in the same village.
"Maybe those who gave you the information could have lied, she's not guilty of any crime. If you want to hear from her you can phone on this number around 8PM when I'll be home," said Chigwa, who works at Mwenezana Estates.
Masukume and Matavire could not be reached for comment.
Source - chronicle
