A ritual competition to retrieve a “holy stick” in deep water by the devotees of the Vadzidzi VaJeso apostolic sect have claimed the lives of 8 self-proclaimed prophets.
The 8 drown prophets are part of the ten prophets from Vadzidzi VaJeso apostolic sect that took place in the Mazowe River in Rushinga Zimbabwe during a ritual to select a baptist when tragedy struck.
The provincial development coordinator Timothy Maregere confirmed the incident and said the deceased are all male and that their bodies have been retrieved.
Police authorities have however released names of the eight apostolic prophets from Vadzidzi vaJeso who drowned at Mazowe River in Rushinga yesterday.
According to Mashonaland Central deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo the prophets who drowned while in trance are, Nickson Singano (29), Peter Marera (31), Tendai Marera (28), Alexeio Makombe (26), Tichawana Katiyo (32), Isaac Dokora (21), Lanciot Dokora (34) and Chriswell Kunyengerera.
The police also said the incident took place at around 2 pm at the Hungumwe River which lies at the confluence of Mazowe Tsvinje river when 30 Prophets fell into a trance and stampeded into the river while at their annual Passover ceremony.
