Zimra turns to n’anga to exorcise warehouse

IN what may pass as an episode from the voodoo world fairy tales or a chapter from the Zodiac series of the mysterious life, a traditional healer was at the multi-million upgraded Beitbridge Border Post, to cleanse a warehouse.

Nkosana Madoka, known in the healing circles as Sekuru Fabiano, was invited to cleanse a government warehouse where some ornaments believed to be traditional tools used to cast bad spells were among goods seized by Customs and Excise officers.

The strange items, seven in number, included a horn with fur, a chimpanzee skull, a red, white and black beaded small loaded cloth bag, a dried monkey face, a plate full of what appeared like animal fat, a blueish little bag that appeared to be breathing and a broken clay pot.

Zimborders general Manager Nqobile Ncube, whose company built and will maintain the border for 17 years from the time it was commissioned, promised to investigate and revert to us but was yet to respond by the time of going to the Press.

Other officials including those from Immigration, a contracted security organisation and other State agents did not offer meaningful explanations.

Zimra spokesperson Gladman Njanji referred questions to ZRP in Beitbridge.

“Zimra has a clear mandate at all ports of entry, which includes facilitating legitimate trade and travel and protecting civil society. For security matters, please contact the ZRP Beitbridge,” he said.

On Thursday last week and in broad daylight, Sekuru Fabiano entered the border post through the passenger terminal and passed through the police post as he strode the length of the majestic complex.

Dressed in white decorated trousers and a tracksuit top with clothes used by traditional healers strapped around his body, beads hanging from his neck and on his head a female hat with an animal skin sewn to it Sekuru Fabiano moved in haste.

Unidentified people walking next to him struggled to keep pace.

After entering through the departure side as if South Africa bound, he turned on the exit towards the commercial warehouse section.

The NewsDay crew arrived on time to see him rush towards the bay at the warehouse where the ornaments commonly referred to as “zvikwambo” were.

Sekuru Fabiano murmured a few words to the ornaments and declared them weakened.

He then paced away, without talking as a small gathering of Customs and Excise officers, shipping agents and security guards followed at a distance.

Asked what his purpose was he turned and bellowed that someone was disappointed after their goods were confiscated.

“They were trying to get rich and now are dissatisfied with what officials did. The ornaments are trying to harm them but I have neutralised them. They can now destroy these ornaments, they are weak,” he said.

Sekuru Fabiano turned to address the small gathering.

“I am now going to finish this. These magic tools will not work, they are a lie that is why I am here. I have the 10 commandments here and I have spoken to it. Go and do as I say,” he said pointing his beaded miniature knobkerrie into the sky.

He said he had been invited by Zimra to cleanse the area as the “children” were now afraid to work.

Soon after he left, security personnel carried the ornaments to a place where they were doused in some flammable and set alight.

Government set up a national task force against smuggling, including Zimra officials and other security agencies. The team has been intercepting smugglers and confiscating goods worth millions of United States dollars that have filled up government warehouses across the country.

Officers involved in the operation ambush vehicles along roads leading from border posts and seize goods deemed smuggled. Newsday