A tragic incident in Kwekwe has left a community in shock after a 54-year-old man died during a suspected exorcism ritual led by a self-proclaimed prophetess. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have since arrested nine individuals, including the prophetess, following the mysterious death of the man at a makeshift church shrine in Mbizo.
The deceased man, identified as Micky Chuma, reportedly died on 18 June 2025 after ingesting a concoction administered by the group during a ritual they believed would cast out evil spirits. The concoction, given at the shrine, is now at the centre of a police investigation into possible culpable homicide and concealment of a death.
The leader of the group, Charity Mafirowanda, a 46-year-old self-styled prophetess, was arrested alongside eight of her followers. Those detained include Talent Khumalo (42), Bongani Paraffin (33), Admire Makota (23), Ronald Mandiedza (24), Margret Zireba (21), Lyton Ndlovu (19), Arnold Mashiri (23), and Pauline Banda (33).
According to police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the group allegedly believed that Chuma was possessed by malevolent spirits and required spiritual cleansing. As part of the exorcism, the man was given a substance believed to be a herbal concoction. Shortly after ingesting it, Chuma reportedly began exhibiting signs of distress and eventually lost consciousness.
Kwekwe Man Dies During Suspected Exorcism Ritual: Nine Arrested
Initial reports indicate that rather than seeking immediate medical assistance, the group allegedly panicked and attempted to conceal the man’s death. They are said to have transported Chuma’s lifeless body from the shrine back to his home, where they placed it on his bed and covered it with blankets to make it appear as though he had died in his sleep.
The suspicious nature of the death, however, quickly drew attention. Neighbours reportedly raised the alarm after noticing inconsistencies in the story told by the congregants and alerted local authorities. The ZRP was called to the scene, where an investigation was launched, ultimately leading to the arrest of Mafirowanda and her associates.
“The suspects allegedly administered a concoction to the victim in an attempt to exorcise evil spirits, resulting in the victim’s death,” said Commissioner Nyathi. “They then moved the body to his residence and attempted to cover up the incident by staging the scene to mislead investigators.”
The man’s body has since been taken to a local mortuary, where a post-mortem will determine the exact cause of death. Preliminary assessments, however, suggest that the concoction administered may have contributed to his demise.
The case has sparked intense debate in Kwekwe and beyond over the increasing number of unregulated spiritual practices being carried out under the guise of faith healing and exorcism. While some view such practices as culturally rooted, others warn of the dangers posed when untrained individuals engage in medical or spiritual interventions without any form of oversight.
Residents of Mbizo have expressed shock at the incident, describing Chuma as a quiet man who rarely interacted in large gatherings. “He was a peaceful man. We never thought he would end up in something like this,” said one neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We hope justice will be served.”
This case is the latest in a string of incidents involving self-proclaimed prophets and spiritual leaders across Zimbabwe. In many rural and urban communities, spiritual healers continue to draw followers with promises of healing, prosperity, and spiritual protection. However, without regulatory frameworks or health safeguards, such gatherings have occasionally ended in injury or death.
Legal experts say that if found guilty, the suspects could face serious charges, including culpable homicide and obstruction of justice. “Transporting a body to conceal the cause of death is a criminal offence in itself,” said Harare-based lawyer Tawanda Mpariwa. “The courts are likely to treat this case very seriously, especially given the pattern of reckless conduct.”
Meanwhile, police have urged the public to be cautious when seeking spiritual assistance, particularly when it involves ingesting unknown substances. “We continue to warn citizens against submitting to dangerous and unverified rituals that endanger lives,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
As investigations continue, the arrest of Mafirowanda and her congregants serves as a grim reminder of the potential consequences of unregulated spiritual practices. For the family of the deceased man, the pain of losing a loved one under such tragic circumstances has been compounded by the manner in which his death was handled.
Funeral arrangements for Micky Chuma are yet to be announced as the family awaits the results of the post-mortem. Meanwhile, the nine suspects remain in police custody as they await their initial court appearance in connection with the death of the Kwekwe man.
Source- Pindula
