Harare, Zimbabwe (News of The South) – Residents of Mbare are expressing outrage and despair over a burgeoning lice infestation that has seemingly worsened following a recent spraying exercise by the Harare City Council. The tiny, irritating pests, locally known as “tsikidzi,” are reportedly not confined to Mbare, with complaints now emerging from areas as far as Mabvuku, indicating a potentially wider outbreak across the capital.
Instead of alleviating the problem, many Mbare residents believe the council’s efforts have backfired, suggesting the use of ineffective equipment or inadequate sprays. The situation has become so dire that some are seeking alternative explanations for the surge in lice.
Adding a unique perspective to the crisis, King Munhumutapa, speaking to News of the South today, attributed the escalating infestation to spiritual unrest. “Pasi pakatsamwa,” the King declared, stating that the ancestral spirits are displeased and are communicating their displeasure through this unusual proliferation of lice.
King Munhumutapa urged Harare and Zimbabwe to acknowledge and consult the traditional custodians of the land. “Consultations should be done with the Mbari clan, and they can solve this problem spiritually,” he asserted. He acknowledged that lice typically thrive in unclean environments, such as parts of Mbare, but emphasized that the current situation is “out of the ordinary” and warned of further deterioration.
The King stressed the importance of Zimbabweans taking their customs and traditions seriously. “If traditional issues are not dealt with properly, there will be many problems that cannot be solved,” he cautioned. He further emphasized the historical ties of the Mbari clan to Harare, stating, “We all know that Harare belongs to the Mbari clan, descendants of Paramount Chief Mbari.”
King Munhumutapa called for the resuscitation of the Mbari’s Chieftaincy, urging Zimbabweans to rally behind this cause. “We cannot resolve these problems without the Mbari clan. They should be involved in matters concerning Harare because they own the land and have the power that no one else has to resolve spiritual problems,” he stated emphatically.
Highlighting the numerous unresolved issues currently plaguing Harare, King Munhumutapa concluded, “We cannot ignore spiritual involvement.” His remarks have ignited discussions among residents, with some echoing his sentiments and calling for traditional interventions alongside conventional public health measures. When the army Baracks were being constructed in Dzivaraseka similar events were seen withbthe built structures being found demolished every morning. The government then consulted the Mbari clan who conducted traditional ceremonies and only after that coukd the barravks be constructed.
The Harare City Council is yet to respond to the residents’ complaints and King Munhumutapa’s assertions. In the meantime, the itchy reality of the lice infestation continues to plague Harare, leaving residents seeking solutions both practical and, for some, spiritual.
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