GWERU- A self styled female prophet and eight followers have been arrested for alleged murder of a woman they gave a concoction to drink for healing.

Micky Chuma (54) of Mbizo in Kwekwe died after drinking a concoction she was given by Charity Mafirowanda and her followers in the gold mining town on June 18.

Chuma, whose husband has mental challenges visited a shrine for prayers where she was allegedly given a concoction made of opaque beer mixed with snuff to drink.

The concoction, she was told would exorcise evil spirits.

Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said after drinking the concoction she went into a trance and congregants poured water on her body until she became numb.

“They then took her to a fire place in order to warm her up before she unfortunately passed on,” Mahoko said.

The police alleged that in a bid to give a different narrative, they took the body to Chuma’s home and laid it on the bed and covered it with blankets.

The body was discovered by Tafadzwa Chemedza Matikiti who usually did household chores at the home when she tried to wake up her employer.

Matikiti reported at Garandichauya Police Station inl Mbizo 3 leading to the arrest of Mafirowanda and seven accomplices who include Talent Khumalo, Bongani Paraffin, Admire Makota, Ronald Mandiedza, Margaret Zireba, Lyton Ndlovu, Arnold Mashiri and Pauline Banda.

The nine are in police custody where they are helping with investigation.