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George Maponga Masvingo Bureau
A GUTU man, given a pauper’s burial 22 years ago, had his remains exhumed from Eastville Cemetery in Masvingo City after his spirit tormented his family demanding proper burial. Edson Maungwa of Murambatsvina Village in Chimombe communal lands was 61-years-old when he disappeared in 1995. He was found dead in Chitando area in Gutu District. Maungwa was then given a pauper’s burial.

Maungwa’s spirit haunted his family.

It possessed his daughter Shinyidzai, who led relatives to his grave in the city. Relatives, ZRP and municipal police were left in shock as Shinyidzai, who was in a trance, rummaged through scores of graves.

She then positively identified her father’s grave.

With her bare hands, she dug the grave.

Relatives begged the spirit to allow them to dig up the grave with shovels.

The spirit later allowed the use of shovels.

Relatives and observers were further stunned when it was discovered that Maungwa’s lower body was completely de-composed while the upper torso including the head were intact and recognisable.

The late Maungwa’s remains were buried at his rural home in Maungwa village on Tuesday morning.

Maungwa’s son Naftal said the family had finally found peace after reburying their father.

“We are more than happy and relieved that after 22 years of searching we located our father’s remains,” he said.

“As the Maungwa family we are very happy that at last our father has rejoined his family.”

Naftal said his father’s spirit possessed their now widowed sister Shinyidzai in 2003 demanding that the family exhume his remains and rebury him home.

He said the family sought assistance from traditional leaders in Chimombe and Government officials to facilitate the reburial of their father without success..

“We came close to reburying him in 2013 but we failed. We did not get approval from the Masvingo District Administrator’s office,” he said.

The curtain came down on Maungwa’s saga with the exhumation and reburial early this week.

Masvingo District Administrator Mr Roy Hove’s office said they did not have objections to the request from the Maungwa family.

Masvingo police also gave the exhumation and reburial their nod with Officer Commanding ZRP Masvingo District, Chief Superintendent Obeylaw Moyo, instructing Masvingo Central police station to render assistance and monitor the reburial process.