The government of Zimbabwe is set to assist 8 prophets who drowned and died in Mazowe on Sunday in a bid to retrieve a “Holy Stick”.

The “prophets” from Vadzidzi VaJeso apostolic sect drowned  in Mazowe River in Rushinga while competing to retrieve a “holy stick” in deep water during a ritual to select a Baptist.

The provincial development coordinator Mr Timothy Maregere confirmed the incident and said the deceased are all male and the bodies have been retrieved.

The group consisted of 10 “prophets” and only two survived.