PAY US, OR ELSE . . .
Latwell Nyangu
TRADITIONAL healers issued an ominous warning – “PAY US, OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES OF CURSES”.
This comes after one healer, Sekuru Chihwa from Nyanga, cursed a man he had previously treated by sending baboons to demand payment after he failed to settle his US$150 bill.
Innocent Ndaruza and his wife claim they heard voices demanding payment every time they were home.
Our sister publication, Manica Post, broke the story.
Sekuru Chihwa said he reversed the curse on Monday.
Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA) president, George Kandiero, said people should realise that this was a livelihood for their members.
“There are always two sides to a story and, unfortunately, there is this perception yekushora chivanhu chedu.
“One thing you should know is that people pay for consultations.
“For example, people can pay US$60, buy medicines from the pharmacy, but the next hour munhu otofa.
“Why don’t they demand their money back?”
He added:
The same applies with traditional healers, this is their livelihood.
“Let’s also appreciate the services they render.
“The money they ask for may not be a lot, but when you visit them, pay them what they ask for.”
He said they do not condone what Sekuru Chihwa did, as they could have found better ways to resolve the issue.
“Of course, I am not supporting what he did, but people should just be honoured for their services,” he said.
Veteran traditional healer, Sekuru Banda, said what happened to Innocent was normal.
“These things exist, but just like when it’s raining, munhu anotakura umbrella and gets into a shop.
“When it stops raining, they forget about the umbrella and only remember it when it rains again.
“So vazukuru should not forget to pay for services rendered.”
He added:
“We don’t support the punishment he meted out to Innocent, but vazukuru should honour sekuru to avoid such incidents.
“Such punishments are not good because vanopera vese ka vazukuru vacho.
“There should be a better way of dealing with it.”