54 year old Kwekwe woman sccumbs to concoction during religious fellowship

Police in the Midlands confirm the arrest of suspects in connection with the death of a 54-year-old woman who they made to drink a concoction at a Shrine on 18 June 2025.

Provincial Police Spokesperson,Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko however has urged the public to desist from using harmful substances.

"We call upon members of the public to desist from administering or prescribing the consumption of substances which are not certified safe, as it endangers life," Mahoko said 

Allegations are that the now deceased Micky Chuma of Mbizo, Kwekwe, visited a Shrine for prayers on 18 June 2025 at about 1900 hours. She was allegedly given a concoction made of opaque beer mixed with snuff to drink, purporting that it would exorcise evil spirits. 

After drinking, she went into a trance, and the congregants poured water on her body until she became numb. They then took her to a fireplace in order to warm her up before she unfortunately passed on.

It is suspected that, in a bid to give a different narrative, they took the dead body to the now deceased's home and laid it on the bed and covered it with blankets. 

The body was discovered by Tafadzwa Chemedza Matikiti ( 42 ), who was doing house chores and made a report to the Police.

The arrested are Charity Mafirowanda ( 46),
Talent Khumalo(42), Bongani Paraffin (33) ,Admire Makota( 23),Ronald Mandiedza (24) ,Chiendambuya
Margret Zireba (21) , Lyton Ndlovu ( 19) , Arnold Mashiri ( 23 ), Pauline Banda ( 33)