In Zimbabwe, the mystique of Manjuzu—mermaid spirits believed to grant wealth, beauty, and fame—has inspired many to engage in sacred water rituals, often at great peril. These rites, deeply rooted in traditional belief systems, have increasingly attracted urban women, sometimes referred to as “slay queens” or socialites, rumored to seek supernatural backing for their affluent lifestyles. This pursuit of prosperity through Manjuzu spirits has coincided with a troubling rise in drowning incidents, spotlighting the deadly risks tied to these practices. This article examines these tragedies, their cultural and social contexts, and clarifies misconceptions such as the alleged Manyame River incident.
Manjuzu Spirits: Cultural and Spiritual Context
Manjuzu—water spirits revered in Zimbabwean folklore—are regarded as potent entities capable of bestowing material benefits like wealth, fame, or romantic success, but often exacting steep spiritual costs. Expert Nyasha Simon categorizes these spirits as: (1) manjuzu enhope—dream messengers guiding traditional healers, (2) wealth-bestowing spirits demanding lifelong devotion, and (3) deceptive “fake” spirits promoted by unscrupulous individuals, which can embroil followers in danger. Rituals involve offerings (rice, sweets, wine) and immersion in natural water bodies, typically led by spirit mediums or self-styled prophets. However, economic hardship and a proliferation of unqualified spiritualists have turned these sacred rites into risky trends, particularly among young women aged 18–35. Since 2022, drowning deaths linked to Manjuzu rituals have surged by 47%, underscoring escalating dangers.
Besides sleeping in a coffin, women participating in Manjuzu rituals typically engage in several other practices aimed at invoking the mermaid spirits for wealth, fame, or success. These include making offerings such as rice, sweets, biscuits, and wine to the spirits, and immersing themselves in sacred rivers or dams during the ritual. The rituals are often led by spirit mediums or self-styled prophets and may involve prayers or invocations directed at the Manjuzu spirits.
Participants sometimes enter the water together, and the ritual may include acts of submission, cleansing, or symbolic gestures believed to appease or connect with the spirits. However, such practices can be dangerous, especially if done without proper spiritual guidance, as mishandling or disrespect of the sacred waters is believed to provoke fatal outcomes, including drownings. Additionally, some rituals include prolonged stays in the water, which might include elements like sleeping in a coffin as a form of spiritual trial or initiation.
These practices are embedded in traditional belief but have seen modifications and commercialization, with young women often motivated by economic desperation and social pressures to seek quick fortune through these spiritual means. The rituals blend cultural reverence with modern social dynamics, yet frequently lack the safety and proper ritual protocols traditionally upheld by elders and spiritual custodians.
Manjuzu rituals among women commonly involve offerings, water immersion, prayers, and sometimes extreme symbolic acts such as sleeping in coffins as part of their spiritual engagement with mermaid spirits.
In Zimbabwean urban culture, “slay queens” are fashionable women flaunting wealth and social media prominence. These women are often rumored to engage in Manjuzu rituals for swift material gains. While specific individuals are rarely publicly named—due to legal risks and scant evidence—the narrative remains potent, fueled by socio-economic disparities and online speculation. This phenomenon reflects broader societal tensions where unexplained success is attributed to supernatural assistance rather than merit. The 2019 Nyangombe River ritual notably cemented this association, igniting public debate.
The 2019 Nyangombe River Ritual: A Watershed Moment
In 2019, a reported ritual at Nyangombe River in Nyanga National Park featured a group of women, including a self-identified “slay queen,” invoking Manjuzu spirits for wealth and social status. Led by a female spiritualist, the ritual sought the blessings of mermaid spirits believed to grant prosperity and attract affluent partners. The leader claimed many Harare socialites driving luxury cars attributed their success to such rituals, warning of misfortune if they were discontinued. Though no drownings occurred during this event, it spotlighted the rising trend of urban women’s involvement with Manjuzu rituals and raised concerns over exploitation by spiritualists. No specific socialites were named, but this event set a precedent for associating socialites with Manjuzu practices.
Key Drowning Incidents Linked to Manjuzu Rituals
Since 2010, several drowning tragedies have been connected to Manjuzu rituals, underscoring the inherent risks. Noteworthy cases include:
-
July 16, 2021: Machiti Pool, Masvingo
Three people, including a young girl, drowned during a ritual intended to cleanse a local leader of evil spirits, led by prophet Amos Chimutuvi. An earth tremor reportedly caused panic among ritual participants. The pool is famously associated with mysterious mermaid-related experiences like tickling or scratching swimmers. Though not directly involving socialites, the ritual shared wealth-seeking motives similar to those in urban areas. -
July 7, 2024: Garimo River, Domboshava
A drowning occurred during a Manjuzu ritual amid a broader spike of 29 drowning deaths between June and August 2024 in Zimbabwe. Details on the victim and ritual specifics are limited, but the incident aligns with wealth-seeking rituals popular among urban women. -
July 28, 2025: Nyaure River, Bindura
Two women—Ellen Mlauzi (49) and Ethel Nyabundu (22)—drowned during a Manjuzu ritual led by a self-styled prophet. The group sought wealth or fame; one possessed woman ventured into deep water and drowned, while the prophet’s wife died attempting a rescue. Traditional leaders condemned the unauthorized ritual strongly. Although the victims were not officially identified as socialites, their pursuit of wealth through Manjuzu rituals echoes previous narratives tied to urban women and social media myths. -
2023: Stone Hurst Farm, Harare
In 2023, Tapiwa Makunungunu drowned in a dam during a Manjuzu ritual in the Stone Hurst Farm area of Harare. While the victim was male and not a socialite, the urban setting suggests overlap with the demographic involved in Manjuzu practices.
Implications, Social Dynamics, and Warnings
The sharp rise in Manjuzu-related drownings since 2022 highlights several factors:
-
Economic Desperation: Zimbabwe’s economic struggles motivate many young women, including socialites, to seek quick wealth through spiritual rituals.
-
Exploitation by False Prophets: Unqualified spiritual leaders capitalize on vulnerable participants’ hopes, often leading to tragic outcomes, as seen in Masvingo and Bindura.
-
Safety Deficiencies: Many ritual participants lack swimming skills and first aid knowledge, exacerbating drowning risks; authorities have issued public warnings.
-
Cultural Debate: Traditional leaders and scholars engage in discussions about the authenticity and commercialization of Manjuzu rituals. Properly conducted rites maintain cultural heritage, but contemporary distortions threaten safety and respect for tradition.
Early Deaths
The legend surrounding Manjuzu rituals includes a belief that participants, often young women seeking wealth or fame through the mermaid spirits, may die within a short time if the rituals are not properly conducted or if they come with hidden agendas. Traditional teachings warn that these sacred waters are inhabited by powerful underground spiritual entities, and disrespect or incorrect ritual practices can provoke fatal consequences such as drowning.
A Harare accident last year were Eddy Takawira (known as Eddy Fresh) and his wife Shylete Masangamba. They perished in a car accident near Kutama in 2024. Eddy was the head of security at two popular Harare venues, and his wife was a soldier on the verge of promotion to the Presidential Guard. Their deaths have been surrounded by dramatic stories involving supernatural allegations and unpaid debts to a witchdoctor named Sekuru Kafera, who had provided them with rituals aimed at boosting their wealth and success. The couple reportedly owed him a large sum of money, which he claims led to their bad luck and fatal accident. Reports of disturbances and ghost sightings at their funeral have circulated on social media, adding to the tragic and sensational nature of the event.
Kudzai Keita was a prominent Zimbabwean entrepreneur and Director of Sisonke Holdings, known for his impactful work across real estate, technology, and energy sectors. In 2024, he tragically died in a severe head-on car accident in Harare, which also claimed the life of his mother. The crash involved a high-speed collision with extensive frontal damage to the vehicles, indicating a head-on collision often caused by driver error or loss of control, making survival chances very slim.
Specifically, some reports and social media commentary suggested that Kudzai Keita had received a prophecy warning him of imminent danger, either from a car accident or a gunshot. Friends mentioned he had a close call in a prior accident, after which he might have sought spiritual protection.
Obert Karombe, a Zimbabwean millionaire and socialite, died in a horrific car accident involving a head-on collision with a military truck around 2 a.m. He died at the scene. Karombe was traveling with his girlfriend, Alecia Zimunya (known as Mamagirl_aley), who survived the crash. The accident occurred near Beatrice along the Harare-Masvingo highway and sparked various stories and public interest due to his flamboyant lifestyle and socialite status
Conclusion
The tragic drownings linked to Manjuzu rituals—from Masvingo’s Machiti Pool in 2021 to Bindura’s Nyaure River in 2025—expose the fatal hazards of seeking wealth or fame through mermaid spirits, a practice intertwined with Zimbabwe’s socialite culture. The 2019 Nyangombe River ceremony, while non-fatal, established a persistent narrative connecting “slay queens” to these rituals, although no socialites have been publicly identified in fatal incidents. No credible Manyame River event has been confirmed, suggesting misconceptions around that locale. Facing economic challenges and predatory spiritualists, Zimbabwe confronts the dual imperative of preserving cultural heritage while safeguarding public health and safety.
