Members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) were last Sunday brutalised by circumcision initiates camped at Chengule, Headman Ngwenyeni under Chief Sengwe in Malipati, for allegedly disturbing proceedings at the camp through their ‘noisy’ drums.
Sources said the congregants were busy with their weekly church service when the nearby circumcision camp erupted in fury and overran the congregation; attacking the worshippers and forcing them to scatter, with two of them said to have sustained some facial injuries.
The matter was reported to Chikombedzi police but there were no arrests made by the time of writing.
Chairperson of the Sengwe Pastors Fraternity, Reverend Steve Chauke confirmed the brawl and said the attack could be connected to the simmering tensions between one Elder Mbiza of the ZCC congregation and Headman Ngwenyeni.
“Headman Ngwenyeni was not happy with Elder Mbiza whom he accused of refusing to help his (the headman’s) son with provisions that are required for one to join the circumcision camp. It is said the boy so desperately wanted to join the camp such that, out of frustration, he attacked his father with a brick and ran away.
“I was then shocked last Sunday when one church member (name supplied) called me saying they had been attacked and beaten by the initiates. We then approached some traditional leaders in the community but they all seemed unwilling to talk to us so we consulted our lawyers who advised us to report the matter to the police,” said Chauke.
