Mbire Man Drowns During Self-Baptism On Sacred Mountain
A spiritual retreat to seek God’s presence ended in tragedy when a Mbire man drowned during a self-baptism ritual atop Nyatsanga Mountain, a site revered by both Christians and traditionalists in Guruve.
The incident has left the community shaken and questioning the intersection of faith, safety, and sacred customs.
On September 11, Evermore Friday joined five other worshippers—Zvione Muzuru, Douglas Kezias, Kennedy Dambakurimwa, Susan Buluwati and an unidentified individual—for a three-day prayer retreat on Nyatsanga Mountain in Kanonama Village.
The group, driven by a desire to “hear God” in solitude, planned to fast, pray, and baptize themselves in a spring believed to hold spiritual power.
After a night of prayer, the group approached the spring the next morning to begin the baptism ritual.
A witness said the group was overwhelmed with fear and fell silent as they saw him remain underwater:
“He remained submerged while we watched in fear and stopped singing.”
The panic was triggered when Evermore stepped into the water and a mongoose broke a nearby trap, startling the group.
Douglas Kezias bravely dove in and pulled Evermore out, but the man was already struggling to breathe.
Evermore briefly gasped for air, then collapsed again as the group hurried down the mountain in search of help.
Kezias, visibly shaken, left his shoes behind and promised to return—but he never did.
Despite efforts by the group and a traditional healer, Evermore could not be revived.
“Sarai,” the healer said quietly, before falling silent.
Zvione Muzuru later reported the incident to Guruve police.
The spring used for the baptism is also a site for traditional rituals, which raised concerns about spiritual clashes and whether the group had unknowingly violated sacred customs.
Locals questioned the method, wondering why the group chose self-baptism when “even Jesus, the Son of God, was baptized by John,” as one villager noted.
Assistant Inspector Lucy Chigwenhese urged churches and prayer groups to respect local customs and prioritize safety.
“No one should attempt to baptize themselves in deep water. Most people cannot swim,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of understanding the laws and spiritual significance of the places people visit, especially when conducting religious activities.
Police investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of death and whether negligence or spiritual conflict played a role.
The tragedy has ignited broader debate over how sacred spaces are used, with calls for clearer guidelines and cooperation between churches and traditional leaders to prevent future loss of life.
-ZimquikNews
