Mhondoro family flees house as mysterious fires wreak havoc and repeatedly burn down their homestead

A family residing in Village Head Mashaka’s area, under Chief Nyamweda in Mhondoro, has been forced to seek refuge with neighbours after a series of inexplicable fires have ravaged their home, destroying all their houses.

These bizarre events began two weeks ago at the home of Mr Roy Mashaka (42), where fire has consumed all the buildings on his property, including the chicken coop and goat pen.

Mr Mashaka recounts that the fires started in broad daylight, inexplicably igniting in their bedroom without any apparent cause.

“The fire started in broad daylight while I was at home. It began in our bedroom, and I just saw smoke billowing out. It initially flared up and then extinguished itself, only to reignite a few days later and completely burn down the two-roomed house,” Mr Mashaka explained.

He added that the fire returned five days later, this time setting the goat pen ablaze during the night.

“The fire ignited the goat pen, and we rushed out to rescue the goats from being burned. The outdoor kitchen we were building was also destroyed after another five days,” Mr Mashaka said.

Mr Mashaka, an orphan, is married with four children. He says that each time the fire started, they tried to put it out, but their efforts were futile.

The items destroyed by these mysterious fires include beds, wardrobes, blankets, the entire family’s clothing, and the children’s school uniforms.

“We have nothing left; everything has been burned. We don’t even have clothes to wear. Maize and other food items were destroyed in the house, we have no blankets, and our birth certificates and those of our children were also burned, as well as the welding machine I used for repairs,” Mr Mashaka lamented.

He added that farming inputs, including fertiliser and seeds, were also destroyed in the fires, setting back their agricultural efforts.

“All the houses have been completely burned down. As we speak, we have all fled the homestead with the family and sought refuge at the home of our neighbours, who are relatives of Phillip Mutunha, a younger brother who works far away and does not live at his home,” Mr Mashaka said.

The family now fears returning to their home, even during the day, due to these unsettling events.

Mr Mashaka, who attends St Johns Church, said he consulted various sources and was told that a close female relative had sought a chikwambo and engaged in Satanism, which had brought about this misfortune of having their homes burned.

“We were told that a close female relative sought chikwambo and also engaged in Satanism. Now, I am supposedly targeted for death, so I am in trouble,” Mr Mashaka said.

When asked about the lifestyle of the relative in question, he said that the woman has a lot of money and a good life.

Mr Mashaka added that they also sought traditional healers who performed rituals at the homestead, but the ritual items were later found removed, and flour had been sprinkled on the yard by an unknown person.

“The fire finally broke out last Friday, after which we fled the homestead to live with neighbours. I am also seeking help from those who can assist me,” Mr Mashaka said.

Chief Mashaka, Mr Peter Mashaka (67), confirmed the family’s plight, stating that these are indeed strange occurrences facing his nephew’s child.

“There is this problem with my nephew’s child, who has lost everything, along with his wife. It is true that the houses have been completely burned down by a fire that starts on its own, burning houses and property on different days, including the goat pen. I don’t know about consulting traditional healers, I did not go with them,” said Chief Mashaka.

He added that he only heard that the family had fled the homestead to live with neighbours, fearing the fire and due to the lack of shelter following the destruction of their homes.

“There is no electricity at this family’s home, so it cannot be said that the fires were caused by electricity. We need this family to be helped because they do not even have food, blankets, or clothing,” said Chief Mashaka.