A self-styled prophetess from Glen Norah is facing criminal charges following the tragic death of a 36-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn child at a religious shrine where she sought assistance for a home delivery.

Rumbidzayi Sanyamvura, widely known as Madzimai Rumbi, is currently in police custody assisting with inquiries into the death of Ruchiva Misoya, which occurred last Tuesday at the prophetess’s shrine in Tanaka Housing Cooperative.

Misoya’s husband, Cephas Foya, 37, and the couple’s three children have been left devastated by the incident.

According to Foya, his wife, who was in good health, left home to attend what she believed were pre-delivery prayers at Madzimai Rumbi’s shrine.

The prophetess allegedly claimed she wanted to examine Misoya before she went to the hospital.

When his wife did not return, Foya went to the shrine and was initially denied entry by Madzimai Rumbi and her colleagues, who told him his wife was in the process of delivering.

Foya recounted forcing his way in, “When I forced myself into the shrine, I found my wife bleeding from the mouth and nose. It shocked me.”

A post-mortem examination conducted at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital determined that Misoya’s death was caused by complications from high blood pressure.

However, local residents have alleged that the prophetess coerced Misoya into a home birth, claiming she gave false prophecies and warned the victim against seeking hospital care.

The situation took a disturbing turn when Madzimai Rumbi reportedly followed the family to their rural village for the burial, carrying a bucket with what Foya described as teeth, umbilical cord, intestines, and blood.

“I came to my senses when Madzimai Rumbi followed us to our village holding a bucket with human remains,” Foya said.

Madzimai Rumbi’s sister, Catherine Nyamapfeni, confronted her sibling about the bucket’s contents, which the prophetess allegedly claimed the family would collect later. Nyamapfeni subsequently sought help from the police, leading to Madzimai Rumbi’s arrest.

Madzimai Rumbi had been praying for people at her shrine for two years, this was reportedly her first time assisting with a delivery.

Credit: Hmetro