A Glen Norah husband has been left shattered after his wife died while giving birth at a shrine under the care of a local prophetess. Cephas Foya, 37, recounts the traumatic events that unfolded at a shrine run by a woman known as Madzimai Rumbi, whose practices are now under intense scrutiny.
Mr Foya described forcing his way into the shrine after being blocked from entering, only to be met with a scene of absolute horror. He stated,
“I found my wife lying in a pool of blood, bleeding from her mouth and nose. She was completely unresponsive. It was a devastating sight that will haunt me forever.”
The victim, Ruchiva Misoya, was 36 years old and expecting her fourth child. A subsequent post-mortem examination at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital confirmed she succumbed to complications arising from high blood pressure. According to Mr Foya, his wife had left their home in good health after Madzimai Rumbi summoned her for prayers.
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He explained,
“My wife left home walking without any complaints. Madzimai Rumbi had said she wanted to pray for her before she went to the hospital.”
Growing concerned by her prolonged absence, Mr Foya went to the shrine, located at Tanaka Housing Cooperative, where he was allegedly prevented from entering by the prophetess and her aides.
Grieving Husband Reveals Details After Wife Dies While Giving Birth at Shrine
The tragedy took an even more macabre turn following Ruchiva’s death. As the community prepared to lay her to rest in her rural village, Madzimai Rumbi arrived carrying a bucket. Its contents have become the centre of a growing mystery and outrage. Cephas Foya recalled the moment with palpable distress. He said,
“I had many questions, but I truly came to my senses when Madzimai Rumbi followed us to the village holding a bucket. Inside were human teeth, an umbilical cord, intestines, and blood.”
The presence of these human remains at a burial site has deeply disturbed the family and locals, raising serious questions about the events that transpired inside the shrine.
Neighbours of the prophetess have expressed alarm, calling for authorities to investigate unlicensed midwifery and the operation of illegal maternity facilities. One resident revealed a disturbing pattern of coercion, alleging,
“Madzimai Rumbi has been giving false prophecies. She claimed Ruchiva was in her tenth month of pregnancy and threatened her, saying she would die if she sought care at a hospital.”
The burial process itself was fraught with difficulty, adding to the family’s anguish. Another villager involved in the proceedings shared,
“We had to dig three graves before finding a suitable place to lay her to rest. It was a deeply distressing experience. Paibatwa ruware kusvikira vazochera pamwe (They had to dig repeatedly until they found the right spot). This has traditional connotations; chinamanenji hachifambisi chinomirira mavara acho awonekwe (a bad omen does not travel, it waits for its signs to be revealed).”
Family Conflict and an Arrest
The fallout from the incident has even fractured the prophetess’s own family. Catherine Nyamapfeni, Madzimai Rumbi’s sister, stated that she was also horrified by the events. After learning of the bucket’s contents, she confronted her sister. Ms Nyamapfeni recounted,
“I asked her about the teeth and everything else after Ruchiva’s death. She simply claimed the family was angry and that the husband would collect the items later.”
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Fearing for the safety of others and seeking justice, Ms Nyamapfeni took decisive action. She confirmed,
“We were terrified. We had to enlist someone to pose as a relative to find out where Ruchiva’s body had been taken. I then sought help from the police, which led to Madzimai Rumbi’s arrest.”
Madzimai Rumbi, whose real name is Rumbidzayi Sanyamvura, has been known in the area for conducting prayers at her shrine for the past two years. However, this was reportedly her first time assisting with a childbirth. The case has ignited a conversation about the regulation of spiritual healers and the dangers faced by vulnerable individuals seeking alternative care. As the investigation continues, a husband and his three young children are left to mourn a life tragically cut short.
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The post Grieving Husband Reveals Details After Wife Dies While Giving Birth at Shrine appeared first on iHarare News.
