Mysterious disease alarms Kariba villagers

THE silent forests of the outlying rural areas under Chief Mola in Kariba rural have witnessed a deep puzzle of deaths through blood vomiting.

The sad scenario has gripped Nyaminyami rural district ward 1, leaving villagers terrified.

Situated about 300km from Mashonaland West’s provincial capital Chinhoyi, villagers are deeply hurt and searching for viable answers from authorities.

Local villager Bornwell Mutale lost two relatives, Charles Siajanika, an uncle (35), and Shine Nyuni (44), a brother-in-law, who both died mysteriously in a short space of time.

Siajanika left behind a wife and five children, with the youngest aged two and a half years old.

The deceased are now part of growing statistics of “blood vomiting deaths” since the dawn of the new millennium.

By then, it was not considered an urgent matter.

But the growing concerns have sparked debate on health rights as people are dying without a solution in sight.

“It is haunting everyone here. Many lives have been lost through blood vomiting, and it takes a few days before death strikes,” Mutale said, recalling the tragic events.

The victims experience dizziness, abdominal swelling and vomit blood.

There is talk of strained liver and spleen. The affected organs end up swelling and some veins rupture due to pressure, it has been heard.

Some attributed the deaths to witchcraft, while others talked of contaminated water fetched from Siamuyala River.

Kariba MP Shine Collins Gwangwaba is not happy either.

He confirmed the devastating news.

“Our major worry is these cases are mainly confined along the Siamuyala River catchment area,” he said.

“The river starts at Mukandahwema/Chiweshe dam area and it meanders into part of Chiweshe, Nabhole, Dhobe and Musau areas.”

On March 4, 2026, Gwangwaba engaged Health and Child Care minister Douglas Mombeshora together with his deputy Sleiman Kwidini outside Parliament in Mt Hampden requesting action to address the situation.

But no action has been taken yet.

However, the lawmaker recommended an urgent need of upgrading Mola Clinic, Siakobvu Hospital as well as resuscitating water ambulance services.

“We call upon the government to take action before more lives are lost in Kariba rural,” Gwangwaba said.

He explained that the mysterious deaths have been going on for years.

“These deaths have been part of us. It started before we were born. People used to die and had anaemia and swelling of abdomen. But our elders used to believe that it was witchcraft,” he said.

“From my own understanding, we have lost 41 people in our communities. Remember in our communities, we know each other.”

Kariba district medical officer Godwin Muza did not respond to questions sent.

Mashonaland West provincial medical director Celestino Dhege said he was out of office.

“I am currently off sick,” he texted.

Ironically, Mombeshora, the Health minister, in a WhatsApp message professed ignorance, saying: “I have not heard of that. Check with the permanent secretary. I am out of Zimbabwe.”

His deputy, Kwidini, said government was aware of the Kariba deaths and that investigations had begun.

“There is our team on the ground,” Kwidini said via a WhatsApp text message.

However, for ordinary villagers, the delay leaves them counting losses in their closely knitted neighbourhood.

They remain sceptical, with some hiding information due to mistrust.

Local councillor Goodward Siabwanda urged co-operation, saying some research fails because people are not forthcoming with vital information.

Communities in rural Kariba have been made to undertake mass drug administration against bilharzia, but the blood vomiting strain is taking its toll against a wave of uncertainty, fear and health concerns.

“Due to lack of functional health facilities, patients end up being transferred as far as Karoi and Chinhoyi to get blood transfusion and other services. Some die along the way,” Gwangwaba explained.

“In 2018, it was recommended that a mass drug administration programme be done and everyone received doses of Praziquantel and Albendazole tablets as it was believed that the major cause was mosquito and bilharzia.

“But now, the community has mixed feelings and views as some think it is bad omen and witchcraft.”

He added: “Officials from the Ministry of Health promised to send a team of specialists on the ground to try and carry out a survey to establish on what exactly maybe the cause besides bilharzia.

“We still have to wait.” Newsday