Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - What began as a spiritual journey ended in terror for three women
in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, who say they fled n@ked through a
forest after a cleansing ritual with a Goromonzi-based sangoma turned
threatening.
The women, Pamela Bako, Shillah Mabvudzi, and another
identified only as Talent, allege they were taken to a mountain by a
traditional healer known as Sekuru Sinaro. There, they were reportedly given
herbs to ingest, bathe with, and wash their hands in. But the retreat soon
descended into fear when they suspected they were being set up for s3xual
assault.
Speaking to H-Metro, Pamela said she grew
suspicious after overhearing Sekuru Sinaro’s two male aides whispering about
the women in a manner that suggested an imminent attack. The sangoma had
allegedly left them under the pretext of returning later, leaving the women
alone with the men.
Pamela said “we had gone for a cleansing ceremony, but it
ended badly after we were given some medicines to bathe, drink, and wash our
hands with. We questioned why we had to view a mirror in a dark room while
being watched by two men. Sekuru had left, and the men forced us to stay.”
Pamela, who had her baby with her, said she refused to sleep
at the shrine and was disturbed by one of the aides who remarked that Sekuru
could pay her rent, a comment she interpreted as suggestive and inappropriate.
“They were planning to treat us as their wives overnight,”
she said. “That’s when we ran into the forest, in different directions, around
7 p.m. I found my way to the main road and eventually made it to Harare. It was
horrifying; I regret ever going there.”
Shillah’s escape led her to the doorstep of Apostle Blessed
Mugwambeni’s home, where her arrival stirred panic. The family, deep in prayer
that night, suspected her of witchcraft upon seeing her half-n@ked at
the gate.
“We were preparing for bed around 11 p.m. when we heard her
calling for help,” said the apostle. “Given that we had been praying against
witches, we initially feared the worst. But after hearing her story, we gave
her clothes and tried to take her to the police. Unfortunately, there were no
female officers, and the male officers refused to assist.”
Shillah, still visibly shaken, said the lack of female
presence at the shrine had raised red flags early on, and they attempted to
leave, but were stopped.
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