Story by Lisa Masuku
A family in Bulawayo is living in fear as it is reportedly being plagued by inexplicable fires that erupt spontaneously, destroying property and leaving them in financial ruin.
Journalist Methuseli Moyo and his family have been experiencing these mysterious fires since late February, with the blazes breaking out without warning and wreaking havoc in their home.
“These fires started towards the end of February. They ignite from nowhere, and this has been happening for some time now. We no longer feel safe here,” said Moyo.
The inexplicable infernos have already consumed most of the family’s possessions, including US$20 000 in cash, money they had just received from selling one of their properties.
“The fires intensified on March 1, and now it has become a daily struggle to put them out. If you look at our walls and furniture, they are in a terrible state,” he added.
Moyo’s wife, Ntombizodwa Mhlanga, recounted the devastating moment when the family lost their money in one of the sudden blazes.
“We had planned to move out, but as soon as we collected the money and placed it in the wardrobe, the section where the cash was stored mysteriously caught fire. Within seconds, it was gone,” she said.
It is even more difficult for Moyo’s wife, Ntombizodwa Mhlanga, who has had to watch her husband sustain severe burns from the strange fires.
“The fires have not only destroyed our property. My husband has sustained serious burns. The funny thing is that when the fire attacks him, it’s invisible. He will be screaming that he is on fire, but we won’t be seeing anything,” Ntombizodwa Mhlanga said.
The heart-wrenching mystery fires experienced by the Moyo family have left the community in shock and grief.
“What is happening to the Moyo family is very sad. The family has suffered, and they no longer feel safe in their own house,” Community member, Skha Dlodlo said.
“This is a serious issue,” another Community member, Khulu Jamela said.
Desperate for answers, the family has sought spiritual intervention but to no avail.
With no clear explanation or solution, they remain trapped in a nightmare that shows no sign of ending.
