WATCH: 'Churches, Mermaids flood Mukuvisi River'

Several churches, mermaid spiritual agents (MaNjuzu), traditional healers and street kids illegally settled and grabbed land along the Mukuvisi river while living in harmony with each other despite diversity in religious beliefs.

Amongst the churches congregating along Mukuvisi river banks along Houghton Park, Harare area include United Family International Church (UFIC) under Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa and the late Ezekiel Guti's Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa Forward In Faith Ministries (ZAOGA FIFM).

When contacted for a comment to ascertain legality on the construction of these church properties and mushrooming settlements with over 25 families living along the river banks and wetlands in Houghton Park and Waterfalls area, Harare City Council's spokesperson, Stanley Gama advised that all questions should be directed to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

"The best to answer and attend to that is the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. Everything is a responsibility for that Ministry and may you kindly get hold of them please," Gama said.

A visit by Bulawayo24.com crew identified several groups gathering along Mukuvisi river banks engaging in various activities including abusing drugs, baptism and evil spirits cleansing ceremonies.



One of the settlers, Reuben Moyowachena claimed that they were forced to relocate along Mukuvisi river due to economic hardships and poverty; and there is nothing strange about sharing the same environment with churches, traditional healers, MaNjuzu and street kids.

"We live together and interact here along the Mukuvisi river. There is nothing strange and we share everything together whilst during cleansing ceremonies, no-one interferes with one's business," Moyowachena said.

"We will only leave this place if there is guarantee for employment because if I go back to location, I don't have money for rentals or buying food. We survive on begging and we can't also beg for accommodation, hence we identified alternative land to settle along Mukuvisi," Moyochena added.

"We also dream about a good life, but meanwhile, things are tough for us. If there could be a well-wisher to rescue us from this poverty or desperation maybe it will be our last day to leave Mukuvisi, but for now, we are here to stay," Moyowachena said.

Efforts to get comments from UFIC, ZAOGA FIFM and Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare were fruitless.

At least over 25 homeless families with four or five members per each family have resettled along Mukuvisi river between Houghton Park and Waterfalls due to poverty, spiritual cleansing camping or idleness. Some have been living along Mukuvisi for over a decade or more whilst others frequent the area and engage in drugs and substances abuse.