By Cynthia Pelagia Guma
Harare, (New Ziana) – When convicted serial killer, Anymore Zvitsva laughed in the dock during sentencing, many Zimbabweans were left stunned.
To some, the unsettling display was evidence of mental illness. To others, it reignited long-held cultural beliefs about ngozi — an avenging spirit believed to pursue those responsible for the unjust shedding of innocent blood.
Whatever the explanation, one painful reality remains undeniable: while Zvitsva begins serving an 89-year prison sentence for multiple counts of rape, attempted murder and robbery, the burden of his crimes continues to weigh heavily on those he left behind.
He was convicted on 25 counts of murder, almost all gruesomely committed.
His former wife, Evermore, and their two children now find themselves battling not only the emotional scars of his crimes but also social stigma, fear and uncertainty about the future.
Speaking in an emotional interview on YouTube, Evermore described the immense challenges of rebuilding her life as a single mother while raising children whose lives have been forever altered by their father’s notoriety.
“I sometimes wish he had been sentenced to death because knowing that he is still alive continues to haunt me,” she said.
She said she never imagined that the man she married would one day become one of Zimbabwe’s most feared criminals.
“If I had known what my life would become, I would never have married into that family,” she said.
While the families of Zvitsva’s alleged victims continue seeking justice and closure, Evermore says her own family is fighting a different battle—one marked by fear, rejection and growing concern over the behaviour of their young son.
According to Evermore, her daughter has adjusted relatively well to the family’s new reality. Her son, however, has begun displaying behaviour that has alarmed relatives, neighbours and school authorities.
“The boy sometimes leaves school without permission. There are days when he disappears from home and sleeps outside. At school he has reportedly attempted to strangle other pupils during disputes. His behaviour is becoming difficult to understand and control,” she said.
The worrying incidents have left the mother overwhelmed and fearful for her son’s future.
Community members who have witnessed the child’s behaviour believe he urgently requires professional intervention.
Child welfare specialists note that children whose parents become associated with highly publicized violent crimes often experience severe trauma, social rejection, confusion and emotional distress. Without counselling and sustained psychosocial support, such experiences may manifest through aggression, anxiety, withdrawal or other behavioural challenges.
Evermore is now appealing to government departments, churches, social workers and well-wishers for assistance.
“I need help to get professional counselling for my son. I believe probation officers, counsellors and other specialists can help him learn how to live peacefully with others and grow into a responsible member of society,” she said.
Beyond psychological support, she is also seeking financial assistance to help her rebuild her family’s life.
“As the sole provider, surviving has become increasingly difficult because of the stigma attached to my former husband’s crimes. I would appreciate help to start a business so that I can provide for my children and rebuild our lives. I want my children to have a future that is different from their father’s past,” she said.
As Zimbabwe continues to reflect on one of the country’s most disturbing criminal cases in recent memory, Evermore’s story serves as a reminder that the consequences of violent crime often extend far beyond the courtroom. Long after the headlines fade, families connected to such tragedies are frequently left navigating a difficult journey towards healing and acceptance.
Seeking to understand the broader cultural and spiritual dimensions surrounding the case, New Ziana spoke to traditional leaders and cultural experts about Zimbabwean beliefs regarding ngozi.
President of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association, George Kandiero, said that within African traditional belief systems, the taking of innocent human life is regarded as a grave offence whose consequences may extend beyond the individual offender.
“Human life is sacred. When innocent blood is shed, families traditionally seek ways of restoring harmony through prescribed cultural processes. These matters are handled through traditional leadership structures,” he said.
According to Kandiero, families who believe they may be affected by ngozi often consult traditional leaders for guidance on reconciliation and cleansing rituals.
“The whole clan should come together, openly acknowledge what happened and seek guidance from traditional authorities on the appropriate steps to restore peace,” he said.
Kandiero further expressed his personal belief that Zvitsva’s conduct suggested he was not acting in a normal state of mind.
“I believe Anymore Zvitsva was under the influence of ngozi. No normal person would carry out such horrific acts. However, under our traditional beliefs, it is the perpetrator who bears responsibility, and families often seek traditional remedies to prevent further suffering,” he said.
He added that if relatives fear the family is being affected spiritually, they should consult recognised traditional authorities and pursue culturally accepted processes of reconciliation with affected families.
John Bvekerwa Sithole, Sabhuku of Irendame Farm under Chief Negomo in Bindura, also believes the family should seek traditional guidance while ensuring that any child displaying troubling behaviour receives appropriate intervention.
“If there are genuine concerns that spiritual issues are involved, families should consult recognised traditional leaders. However, if a child knowingly commits wrongdoing, appropriate disciplinary and legal processes must also take their course,” he said.
Sithole also called for stronger community education programmes aimed at discouraging violent crime.
“Communities, traditional leaders, churches, schools and law enforcement agencies should work together to educate people about the consequences of crime. Awareness campaigns can play a significant role in preventing future tragedies,” he said.
He added that, within traditional practice, reconciliation processes between affected families are considered important in restoring harmony after serious offences.
“There should be dialogue between families where appropriate, with guidance from traditional leaders, so that healing and reconciliation can begin. Communities should also support those affected as they mourn and rebuild their lives,” he said.
Offering a Christian perspective, Apostle Bigboy Kathumba of New Revelation International Ministries, which has branches in Zimbabwe and South Africa, said children’s behaviour is shaped by a combination of factors, including parental influence, peer pressure, family environment and societal exposure.
“Children often imitate what they see from their parents or guardians, while friends and the environments they grow up in also play a significant role in shaping their behaviour,” he said.
Apostle Kathumba noted that behavioural challenges may have both spiritual and non-spiritual causes. He explained that some children develop problematic behaviour as a result of traumatic experiences, unstable family backgrounds or exposure to violence, while others may require spiritual guidance alongside professional support.
Referring to reports about Anymore Zvitsva’s son, he cautioned against making conclusions without proper assessment but acknowledged that children who witness or grow up in dysfunctional family environments may be deeply affected by their experiences.
He also expressed concern over the increasing influence of digital technology on young people.
“With greater access to the internet, smartphones and violent content on various online platforms, some children begin to perceive violent behaviour as normal. Without proper parental guidance, they may imitate what they see, not fully understanding the consequences of their actions,” he said.
Kathumba stressed that parents and guardians remain the primary role models in a child’s life.
“When children lack positive guidance at home, they may begin to normalise harmful behaviour simply because it is what they have observed. Parents therefore have a responsibility to model values that promote respect, compassion and responsibility,” he said.
Meanwhile, clinical family therapist, Counsellor and Organisational Skills Development Practitioner, Dr Clayton T. Choga said the families affected by Zvitsva’s alleged crimes continue to face profound psychological trauma that requires long-term professional support.
He explained that grieving is a complex process involving several emotional stages, including shock, denial, bargaining, mourning and, ultimately, acceptance.
“The brutality of these crimes has left many families struggling to process the loss of their loved ones. Such traumatic deaths often complicate the normal grieving process and make emotional recovery far more difficult,” he said.
Dr Choga noted that within Zimbabwean cultural traditions, reconciliation and compensation may help some bereaved families find emotional closure where appropriate and mutually agreed upon.
He also highlighted therapeutic approaches that can assist grieving families.
“Counselling techniques such as the empty-chair exercise and therapeutic letter writing allow individuals to express unresolved emotions, preserve cherished memories and gradually work towards healing,” he said.
For Zvitsva’s former wife and children, Dr Choga said continuous public scrutiny and social stigma may be contributing to prolonged psychological distress.
“Families associated with high-profile crimes often experience post-traumatic stress, anxiety and social isolation. Constant labelling by society can deepen emotional wounds and make recovery even more difficult,” he said.
He called for sustained psychological support, particularly for children.
“There is a need for ongoing counselling that creates a safe environment for children to express their thoughts and emotions. Child-centred therapies, including play therapy and storytelling, can help them process trauma in healthy ways and reduce the long-term psychological impact of their experiences,” he said.
As the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of one of Zimbabwe’s most disturbing criminal cases, experts agree on one point: while justice may be delivered in the courtroom, true healing—for victims, survivors and even the families left behind—requires compassion, professional support and a collective commitment to breaking cycles of trauma rather than allowing them to define future generations.
New Ziana
