Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2014-01-10

A local chief in Zimbabwe, has reportedly demanded US $21 000 from the relatives of a tourist who disappeared on Zimbabwe’s Mount Nyangani while hiking with his wife and friends last week Saturday (4Th January).

31 year old Zaid Dada his wife and another couple tried to climb Mount Nyangani but halfway up, the women and the other man abandoned their hike while Dada continued alone.

Chief Saunyama of Nyanga demanded US $1 000 which he said was meant for him to leave his homestead and assist while the remaining US$20 000 would be paid after finding Dada.

According to a source who spoke to the Zimbabwean Herald on the condition of anonymity, Dada’s friends came from as far as Australia, South Africa, Botswana and the United Kingdom to assist the Parks rangers, police and soldiers in locating him.

The local Indian community and a helicopter was hired to assist in the search.

“We were shocked on Tuesday when the local chief was consulted. He said that he would leave his homestead after US $1 000 was paid and also a further US $20 000 after finding Zaid.

“There was no option but to pay because what matters is that he is found alive wherever he is because Zaid needs assistance. Assistance has been coming from all corners of the world so that he is found in good shape,” he said.

Chief Saunyama refuted the claims saying he delegated people to assist Zaid’s relatives when visiting spirit mediums. “I delegated people to assist his relatives and there is no direct contact with them. We have to handle the issue with care because it is a tourist resort,”

“When one is lost we assume, he would have done something wrong which he is being punished for and traditionally we consult mediums who said he is alive. People take advantage to put my name into disrepute,” said Chief Saunyama.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Enock Chishiri could neither confirm nor deny the allegations saying that he was aware that the family visited local chiefs who gave advice on what should be done.

The search was temporarily called off on Tuesday (7th January)  due to inclement weather conditions.

“Currently there is another helicopter which was hired to assist in the search and police officers will not leave until we exhaust all efforts to find him,” said Inspector Chishiri.

The distraught wife and family of Dada have requested dua’s for his safe return.

(Twitter: @Faizie143)