Liberty Dube
Weekender Correspondent
When a Nyanga family retires to bed, they are not guranteed of finding their food in tact the next day.
In the dead of the night, something or someone feasts on their food and replaces it with soil.
On more than three occasions, they have also woken up to find their property up in flames.
The latest strike was last week on Sunday as another hut and all the property it housed went up in flames as a mysterious fire consumed everything in its path.
Fortunately Gogo Nyikayaramba and her grandchildren survived the inferno.
Last month, a mysterious fire razed down two huts at the homestead and destroyed property and foodstuffs. The Weekender has learnt that a Nyanga exorcist, Sekuru Shingirai Mukotsanjera, is working tirelessly to make sure Gogo Nyikayaramba and her three grandchildren live in peace.
So severe is the case that the three juveniles who are in Grades Six, One and Early Child Education (ECD) have had to drop out of school as most of their clothes have been burnt in the mysterious fires.
Acting Chief Saunyama
To make matters worse, the children often fall into trances.
Acting Chief Saunyama on Tuesday confirmed the latest incident which happened at the Nyikayaramba homestead in Ward 14 of Kute Village.
“The fires are more vicious than ever. Another hut was razed down last Sunday. Gogo Nyikayaramba’s property was destroyed in that fire. The Nyikayaramba family is going through trying times. They don’t know what to do. We advised them to meet Sekuru Mukotsanjera for the best way forward,” said Acting Chief Saunyama.
The Nyikayarambas are expected back at Acting Chief Saunyama’s court on December 17.
Added Acting Chief Saunyama: “This is severely traumatising the kids and their health is failing. Villagers are also perplexed. We hope to find a lasting solution soon.”
In an interview, Sekuru Mukotsanjera said, “On December 17 when the case is heard at the chief’s court, I will try to ensure that one of children manifests before everyone so that everything comes out clear.
“These are goblins or avenging spirits at play. They are so vicious and if nothing is done in the immediate future, deaths will be recorded in the family. It is sad that within a month, more than three huts have been razed down by fire. I will also make sure that whatever it is will not torment the kids again is this is affecting their lives and education.”