Sewage leakage persists, forming a significant pool near the entrance of a former purple school-turned-compound that sheltered a cult in Richmound, a village in southwest Saskatchewan, for two years. Despite the recent eviction of the “Kingdom of Canada” followers following a police operation, Mayor Brad Miller of Richmound reports that sewage water from the internal plumbing still flows unchecked.
Mayor Miller expressed concerns about the lingering sewage odors, noting that the stench can be detected by people up to 500 feet away, lingering on hands for hours if touched. He reiterated the distress felt by the community due to the ongoing situation, emphasizing the pervasive nuisance caused by the sewage issue.
The accumulation of sewage outside the compound was a consequence of the village disconnecting the water and sewage services to force the cult members out. According to Miller, the owner, Ricky Manz, failed to settle the utility bills, prompting the cultists to dispose of wastewater from toilets and sinks around the premises.
The RCMP intervention on September 3 was not primarily due to the sewage issue but stemmed from suspicions of firearms possession within the compound, leading to a search warrant. During the raid, authorities confiscated imitation handguns, ammunition, and electronic gadgets, culminating in the arrest of Manz, cult leader Romana Didulo, and others.
Mayor Miller, who actively participated in the raid, vividly described the hectic situation, recounting the physical struggle to subdue Manz in the midst of sewage, necessitating him to discard his contaminated clothing post-operation. The successful raid brought a sense of relief to the community that had endured torment from the cult for an extended period.
Subsequently, health officials declared the site unfit for habitation, prohibiting any further occupancy. Despite numerous attempts to address the cult’s presence through legal avenues, the village administration faced challenges due to the commercial classification of the building and lack of concrete evidence to take decisive action.
The ordeal extended beyond the sewage issue, with cult members resorting to barricading the compound, installing surveillance equipment, and engaging in disruptive behavior towards locals. The disruptive impact on the community, particularly on children, and the spread of conspiracy theories online further exacerbated the situation.
Christine Sarteschi, a criminology expert, shed light on Didulo’s background and the outlandish beliefs propagated by the cult, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of her claims. Sarteschi highlighted Didulo’s history and her controversial activities, including inciting followers to defy financial obligations under the guise of “natural law.”
Mayor Miller reflected on the arduous past two years, expressing uncertainties about his future role and apprehensions about the potential return of the Kingdom of Canada. The lingering concerns about the cult’s resurgence and the challenges faced in addressing the situation underscore the complex and unsettling nature of the ordeal experienced by the community.
The Kingdom of Canada representatives did not provide comments, and Manz’s legal counsel declined interviews. As the village navigates post-cult recovery, the enduring impact of the ordeal raises questions about community resilience and the need for ongoing vigilance in safeguarding against such threats.