Traditional Healer, Client Drown During Manjuzu Ritual

A traditional healer and his client drowned at Clydesdale Farm Dam in Gweru on 24 February while reportedly performing Manzuzu rituals, prompting the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to urge the public to prioritise safety near water.

The ZRP confirmed that the bodies of Edwin Chingandu (33), also known as Sekuru Samaita, and his client, Philemon Matawire (46), were recovered by the ZRP Sub Aqua Unit a day after the incident.

The unit also retrieved the bodies of Munyaradzi Tambaoga (20) and Haggai Tambaoga (23), who drowned while fishing at Manyasaland Dam, Coby Farm, Wedza, on 22 February. The ZRP said:

“The ZRP urges members of the public to prioritise their safety, particularly when conducting activities on or near water bodies.

“This follows two tragic drowning incidents which occurred in Gweru and Wedza, in which four people lost their lives.

“The first incident occurred on 24/02/26 at Clydesdale Farm Dam in Gweru. A traditional healer, Edwin Chingandu (33), also known as Sekuru Samaita and one of his clients, Philemon Matawire (46), drowned while reportedly conducting Manzuzu rituals at the dam.

“Their bodies were retrieved by the ZRP Sub Aqua Unit on 25/02/26.

“The other incident took place on 22/02/26 at Manyasaland Dam, Coby Farm, Wedza. Munyaradzi Tambaoga (20) and Haggai Tambaoga (23) drowned while fishing.

“Their bodies were retrieved by the ZRP Sub Aqua Unit on 24/02/26.”