The Sunday Mail
Ashraf Tikiwa
A 73-year-old self proclaimed prophet from Zimuto communal areas died in the mountains after going for 30 days without food or water, police in Masvingo have reported.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkululeko Nduna said the body of Mr Reinfirst Manyuka was found in the bushes 30 days after he left his home to fast and pray.
The police said that the cause of his death is yet to be confirmed and investigations are still in progress.
Ass Inspector Nduna said Mr Manyuka, of Summertone village in Zimuto left home alone on June 15 for his prayers and was found dead on July 15.
The exact date of his death is yet to be established.
“Such incidents have happened before. However, we cannot stop members of the public from fasting since it is religion based.
According to an article by leading scientific website Scientific American, a fasting person may live through three months, provided they drink water.
The research was carried out by Italian and American scientists in California.
The researchers noted that absolute fasts, which can involve not taking water, can lead to death in as little as a week.
In this regard, it is important to understand fasting.
United Methodist Church District Superintendent, Reverend Tsitsi Madziyire, who says that she got a revelation in 2009 that there is victory in fasting and praying, shared her church’s fasting programs.
“We have been conducting group fasts in our assembly,” said Rev Madziyire.
The Reverend was quick to point out that, “If the author of the church who is Jesus Christ fasted to begin his ministry, who are we not to fast as the one we follow fasted?”
“There are people who don’t understand fasting and some who fear fasting, therefore it is important to teach people on the subject,” said Rev Madziyire.
Rev Madziyire said fasting is a biblical concept and there are eight types of fasts recorded in the Bible.
These range from half a day to 40 days.
Another leader in the Methodist church, Reverend Simon Matara also said people could fast through dry fasts, forgoing one’s breakfast, forgoing solids but ingesting fluids and fasting from favourite foods.
He said even though God still listens to prayer, it is also necessary to take time to combine prayer and fasting.
