‘WE CANNOT DO CLEANSING RITUAL’ – SAYS FAMILY OF COWDRAY PARK TRIPLE MURDER-ACCUSED

The brutal murder of a Bulawayo man, Edwin Chimbangu (35), and his two young children, four-year-old Promise and seven-month-old Prudence by his wife, Happiness Chimbangu (34), has left the community of Cowdray Park in shock and sorrow.

 

The house where this horrific crime took place is now seen as one of the most chilling and infamous crime scenes in the city.

 

Tragically, the homeowners had never settled into the property when the incident cast an ominous shadow over their lives. The owners were leasing out the house to the Chimbangu family. Since the murders, many locals have debated how to handle the house’s grim history, with some suggesting cultural or religious cleansing rituals to ward off any lingering negative energy. However, opinions remain divided on whether such measures are necessary or even appropriate.

 

In some parts of the world, homes where brutal crimes have occurred are demolished or rebuilt, while others remain abandoned, turning into eerie reminders of past tragedies. The Cowdray Park house has sparked discussions on social media, with many questioning whether anyone would dare live in a place marked by such violence.

 

“Would you stay in a house where such a horrendous crime took place? Whether or not you believe in the supernatural, it’s unsettling to live in a place with such a dark past,” read one of the many online comments.

 

This situation is not unique. Across many cultures, houses linked to violent deaths or suicides often become the subject of speculation, with fears that they may be haunted. Stories of such properties frequently enter local folklore, fuelling superstition and anxiety among residents.

 

A relative of the homeowners revealed that they approached the deceased’s family for a cleansing ritual — customarily performed when a person dies in a house that is not their own. However, the family declined, stating that as Christians, they do not practice such traditions.

 

However, traditional healer Khulu Isaac Maphosa insists that a cleansing ceremony is essential to appease any avenging spirits disturbed by the violent deaths.

 

“In our tradition, when someone dies suddenly or violently in a place not their own, a ritual must be performed to restore balance and prevent further misfortune. If ignored, the spirits may bring suffering to those who live there,” Maphosa warned.

 

A local Cowdray Park resident echoed this sentiment, saying that if the deceased’s family refuses to conduct the ritual, the homeowners should find a traditional healer to perform it. Otherwise, the house could remain haunted, potentially affecting even the neighbours.

 

“A ritual is needed to guide the spirits to their final resting place. When people die tragically, their spirits may linger. That’s why, in cases of suicides, family members often cut down the tree where it happened,” the resident explained.

 

On the other hand, a local apostolic church reverend, who preferred to remain anonymous, believes that only prayer can resolve the issue. He emphasised that divine intervention was necessary to bring peace to the house and its residents.

 

“Such tragic events require earnest prayer. Only God can hear the cries of the people and bring an end to these disturbances. While some church leaders claim they can address such matters, only true faith and prayer can remove the unrest,” he said.

 

As the debate continues, the question remains: Can the shadow of this tragedy ever be lifted from the Cowdray Park house? For now, fear and superstition linger, leaving many to wonder whether it will ever truly feel like a home again.

A Bulawayo magistrate remanded the Cowdray Park murder suspect in custody until 14 February, while the deceased were buried at their rural home in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West province early this week. *_-B-Metro_*