Mermaids wreak havoc in Zimbabwe township

A NUMBER of residents in Chikanga Phase One in Mutare claim to have had nasty encounters with two mermaids - male and female - that are residing in a small river near the high-density suburb and many are now living in fear of the aquatic creatures. Apparently, the two mermaids, which dwell a stone's throw away from Chikanga Primary School near an apostolic sect shrine, are now being spotted more often than before and are said to be appearing either as real mermaids, fish or a huge snake.

The mermaids are said to be in the habit of straying along the small river up to some mango trees near Baring Primary School entrance.

Mrs Rose Muguza (45), a teacher at Chikanga Primary who resides in the nearby medium-density suburb of Florida, allegedly lost her teeth when she stumbled after meeting the larger than life creature on her way from work. In an interview, Mrs Muguza, who is also a leader in the Apostolic Faith Church (Mugodhi), confirmed that she actually saw the two mermaids.

"I decided to use a shortcut on my way from work. While using that shortcut, we cross a small river and just when I was about to cross that small river near an apostolic sect shrine, I saw a whirlwind coming straight in my direction. "It kept coming my way and I stood aloof wondering why the whirlwind was coming straight in my direction. I then decided to jump to the other side of the small river so that I could proceed home, but it was not long before the whirlwind engulfed me and I fell into the small river.

"I lost two of my lower teeth. I could feel that although I lost only two of my teeth, others were shaky and painful.

"I stood up and tried to step on a car wreckage that was in the small river so that I could make my way to the other side, but I slipped and fell again. Once again, I lost three of my upper teeth. "During that scenario I saw the two mermaids - one male and a female one. The female one is very beautiful and its hair is quite long. It stretches to its bottom half, while the male one has relatively shorter hair that ends on its shoulders. The eyes of the female one are always roving. "After that encounter, I managed to proceed home, but I was feeling dizzy with blood oozing out of my mouth. I also sustained injuries on my leg and arm. I also lost my phone, watch and keys during that incident.

"When I arrived home my own mother was here and she accompanied me to the clinic. The dentist told me that I should get all my teeth removed, but I refused. However, my teeth started giving me problems recently and when I went to see my dentist, a total of 11 teeth were removed, bringing the total number of my teeth that were removed to 16. I have since acquired artificial teeth. I hope you are also aware that I am not the only one who has come across these mermaids. They have been there for quite some time and it is only that they are now appearing more often than before," said Mrs Muguza.

Brian Chindidzo (32) who resides at Number 1, Henry, Florida, also narrated his ordeal at the same place when a huge snake fell off from a small tree into the river, but suddenly disappeared. "There are several incidents that have occurred at that place. Most people around here know that there are mermaids that live at that place. First it was a teacher at Chikanga Primary School, a Mr Ngwarwi. It happened about two years ago and it actually happened twice to him on his way from work to Florida.

"Initially people didn't believe it, but it appears they now know it is real. One day as I was walking with a friend using the same pathway, I jumped to the other side of the small river and my friend did not want to jump. I crossed back to help him jump so that we could proceed, but just before we could jump together, a huge green snake fell off from a small tree into the river, but suddenly disappeared. The tree was so small to accommodate such a big snake that we saw.

"Although the water was crystal clear, we could not tell how the snake disappeared. It is unfortunate that some of the people who had similar experiences are not here at the moment, but we have some girls who told us that they actually saw a huge fish, the size of a grown up human being, while others told us that they heard drumbeating sounds and people singing, but could not see anyone. "Recently, we saw someone who wanted to use the same pathway as he went to an all night prayer, but returned soaked in mud. He said as he approached the place, unseen objects dragged him. He said he fell down, but somehow later managed to escape," he said.

A mermaid is a legendary aquatic creature with the upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish. Mermaids appear in the folklore of many cultures worldwide, including the Near East, Europe, Africa and Asia.

For feedback or encounters with the maids, you can contact Ray Bande on 0773282558 or email rayb@manicapost.co.zw