In a heartbreaking turn of events, Knowledge Milanzi, a 42-year-old man from Chief Mashayamombe’s area in Mhondoro, has died after a prolonged battle with a mysterious illness. His death on Thursday night, 28 November, follows a series of strange and distressing circumstances that began after he and his wife, Vimbai Masara, confessed to stealing five bags of maize from a neighbouring family.
This unusual affliction was believed to be the result of a curse, or “juju,” placed upon him following the theft.
His sister, Winnet Milanzi, confirmed the sad news of his passing, saying, “It’s true, my brother has passed away due to illness. We forgot to call you (the news crew) to inform you that Knowledge Milanzi is no more. He passed away last night at around 11 pm at home.” She explained that due to the condition he suffered, they had no choice but to bury him quickly, using planks and poles for a coffin.
Milanzi’s ordeal began several months ago when he, along with his wife, stole the maize due to hunger.
“This problem started after I stole five bags of dried maize from neighbours,” he explained.
Following the confession, they approached the maize owners in an attempt to seek forgiveness, offering a mere US$5 as compensation. The family, in a gesture of goodwill, provided traditional medicine intended to alleviate his suffering, but it only worsened his condition.
“I was fishing with nets in the Dorananga River when I first started feeling unwell,” he recalled, pinpointing the onset of his swelling to that day. Despite seeking help from various traditional healers, the remedies failed to bring him relief.
“My parents carried me on a stretcher to the people I stole from, and we all apologised, including my wife. They gave me root medicine to chew, supposedly to reduce the swelling. But after taking it, the swelling got even worse,” he lamented.
Adding to the complexity of his situation, Milanzi claimed that his former wife had confiscated some of his underwear. “People say something was done to my remaining clothes,” he suggested, hinting at further misfortune. He also recounted an incident involving a sacred bird he had killed, which led to further conflict with his former employers.
As his health declined, the Milanzi family faced multiple hardships. A recent kitchen fire destroyed what little belongings they had left, leaving them homeless. “Recently, while I was sleeping in the kitchen, I crawled outside to relieve myself when the kitchen caught fire, destroying everything inside. To make matters worse, I have nowhere to live,” he explained.
Vimbai, his wife, supported his account of the maize theft and its aftermath. “We stole five bags of maize because of hunger. We went to apologise, but they didn’t charge us because we had nothing. They gave my husband medicine, but nothing has changed,” she said, expressing her frustration over the lack of effective help.
Milanzi’s parents, Chitambi and Mary Milanzi, voiced their despair over their son’s condition. “I’m suffering because of my son’s illness. When he stole the maize, we went to apologise and were given medicine for him to chew, but it’s not helping,” said Chitambi, lamenting the toll the situation had taken on their family.
Community leader, Headman Chinamaringa, born Tonderayi Matinetsa, confirmed the account of the maize theft and the reconciliation attempts that followed. “This case was brought to me, and we brought together the maize owners and the sick man, who apologised and received medicine, but it’s not helping,” he stated.
As the family gathered to mourn Knowledge’s passing, they faced the harsh reality of their circumstances. “I don’t know what to do about my son’s illness. I’m pleading for help for my son, whatever kind of help it may be,” Vimbai said, highlighting the desperate situation they found themselves in.
Dr Enock Maidah, a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, offered a different perspective on the circumstances surrounding Milanzi’s illness. He urged the family to seek conventional medical attention, emphasising that “there is no incurable disease.”
