Business came to a halt in Lobengula Street in yet another disgusting disclosure, as four Lobengula street fruit vendors hospitalised each other over corpse water that disappeared before sharing. The Four, Dumisani Sibanda, Thabiso Tshuma, Melody Mloyi and Monica Mlilo, fought a vicious bloodbath of blows, after the latter accused one of them of stealing corpse water that was acquired by Thabiso from a Kelvin Industrial Funeral Parlour.

The development brings the total number of named-and-shamed corpse water crooks to nineteen (19) after fifteen (15) others were arrested in separate incidents last year. The water according to other vendors who refused to be identified, is needed to create their business-charm, to attract clients, so they buy their fruits and vegetables. They sprinkle the water that would have been used by undertakers when bathing the deceased at their funeral parlours.

"If you buy corpse water sprinkled fruits, you automatically become a permanent consumer, as this will force your heart and mind to look for me," said a vendor who was identified by others as Na-Nomsa, who plies her vending business in Bulawayo's Lobengula Street.

Thabiso refused to comment on the cause of their fight, that brought business to a halt in Lobengula Street, but she became arrogant and threatened this journalist with assault by her bouncer boy-friend who works at a Bulawayo night club. But Melody opened up and revealed their source of corpse water in anger. "We contributed $70 to buy corpse water from Mthandazo Funeral parlour, for business, but Monica and Thabiso opted to steal the magical water for their use, forgetting others who contributed," she shouted on top of her voice. Last year, 15 vendors were reprimanded for public fighting over the ware, and they were handed a final warning by their Association for the offence of using corpse water to lure clients.

When reached for comment, Mthandazo Funeral Parlour Manager in Kelvin, Mr Killian Nkomo, dismissed the allegations as malicious. "This is malicious and total fabrication. However, we will investigate the issue, with our undertakers, as this is not for the first time to hear such accusations from vendors and the public." But the Vendors and Informal traders Association National President, Edward Manning speaking to ZimEye.com confirmed the existence of the deals between vendors and funeral houses undertakers. "This has been happening, and we warned our members against using dirty charms on innocent and unsuspecting clients as this is a health hazard," he said. He added: "The four fought over corpse water and we have issued them with a final warning, this time we are going to chase them away from Lobengula Street for their evil doings," said Manning who appeared visibly angry .