-as healing session turns tragic
CHIREDZI-TRADITIONAL healer, Gogo Mashila (70) allegedly murdered a 3 months old boy Oblique Kapuchini of Chief Masivalele in Chiredzi after trying to separate his tongue from the lower part of the mouth (rurimbo) (tongue tie/ankyloglossia, a condition he was born with.
On February 2, 2025 Shylett Runhare (19) took her 3 months old boy to Gogo Mashila to separate his tongue and she used a razor to cut the vein which caused severe bleeding, but she advised the mother not to worry as it would stop in due course.
Unfortunately, Oblique continued to bleed until he died at around 6pm on the same day.
A report was made to the police the following day and the body was taken to Chiredzi General Hospital for postmortem.
Gogo Mashila had not yet been arrested by the time of posting the story as investigations are still going on according to Masvingo Province police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa.
Dhewa went to discourage people from approaching backyard surgeries for medical help as this may lead to loss of lives due to lack of equipment and expertise.