Crimes and Courts Correspondent
In Mutasa, a family is facing a complex and extraordinary situation involving the demands of ancestral spirits.
The spirits of Lazarus and Rishoni Madekerera are reportedly seeking retribution for their alleged murders by their father, Jairos Madekerera, decades ago. This case illustrates the tension between traditional beliefs and modern legal systems in rural Zimbabwe.
Demands from the Spirits
- Lazarus’s Demands: Initially, the spirit of Lazarus requested a wife as compensation for his death. After this was deemed unlawful, the demands escalated to 35 cattle, one female elephant, a new house, farmland, and a tombstone for his neglected grave, which has been unattended since his death in 1988. Lazarus’s spirit expressed frustration, stating that mere cattle would not suffice for his thirst for revenge, emphasizing the emotional and familial loss he endured.
- Rishoni’s Testimony: The spirit of Rishoni, Lazarus’s uncle, corroborated Lazarus’s claims, providing a graphic account of his own death at the hands of Jairos. He described a painful demise and indicated that multiple family members suffered similarly, demanding compensation for these grievances.
Family Dynamics and Conflicting Accounts
The responsibility for addressing these demands falls on Passmore Madekerera, Lazarus’s brother, as their father Jairos is deceased. Passmore denies the accusations, asserting that Lazarus committed suicide after setting fire to their father’s house. He recounts witnessing Lazarus’s fear and subsequent death, questioning the validity of the spirits’ claims.
Adding to the complexity, Precious Gunja-Madekerera, Passmore’s mother, supports the spirits’ claims. She recalls her father’s accusations against Jairos and insists that the details shared by the spirits are too intimate to be mere hallucinations, suggesting a deep-rooted family history of violence and unresolved grievances.
Seeking Resolution
In search of resolution, Precious has approached the local court for assistance. However, Chief Mutasa has advised the family to consult a traditional healer before returning to court, highlighting the ongoing struggle to reconcile traditional beliefs with contemporary legal processes.
This case underscores the profound impact of ancestral spirits in the lives of individuals in rural Zimbabwe, as well as the challenges families face when navigating the intersection of tradition and modernity.
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