A bitter family feud is unfolding in Sakubva high density suburb in Mutare that is centred around a series of mysterious deaths, illnesses, and strange occurrences within the family of the late Norman Rusanga due to an avenging spirit, known in Shona as ngozi.
The matter has reached Headman Chigodora’s community court, where Norman’s widow, Loveness Samuponda, is seeking assistance from her late husband’s brother, Shepherd Rusanga, to resolve the seemingly supernatural problems plaguing her family.
At the heart of the dispute lies the allegation that Norman Rusanga, before his death, killed a man in Gokwe. Shepherd Rusanga, in an interview, confirmed this allegation, stating that his brother allegedly killed a man named Mushonga while operating a garage in Gokwe. He claims that the family is now being haunted by Mushonga’s avenging spirit.
Norman Rusanga’s family has suffered a series of tragedies. Three of his seventeen children have died under mysterious circumstances, while three others are experiencing epileptic-like seizures and terrifying nocturnal manifestations. These events, according to Samuponda, are directly linked to Mushonga’s spirit seeking retribution.
Samuponda initially brought Shepherd Rusanga, along with several other family members (Oscar, Cleopas, Tawona, Rudolf and Charles Rusanga), before Headman Chigodora’s court in September, seeking an order compelling them to assist in consulting traditional healers. Her primary concern is the suffering of her daughter, Letwin, who exhibits symptoms she believes are caused by Mushonga’s spirit.
“At first we thought Letwin was epileptic. She would fall, have seizures and behave like a possessed person. But soon the truth started coming out — she would talk in her sleep, saying Mushonga’s spirit was haunting her because my brother-in-law, Shepherd killed him in Gokwe,” Samuponda told the court. She also noted that her niece, Tawona, is experiencing similar symptoms.
Shepherd Rusanga vehemently denies any involvement in the misfortunes plaguing his brother’s family. He claims that he and other family members visited Sekuru Mutsvairo, a traditional healer in Marondera, at Headman Chigodora’s instruction.
“The healer cleared me of any wrongdoing, and what transpired there actually exposed the real culprit,” he stated and recounted an incident where a snake allegedly emerged from Samuponda’s waistline during the consultation, suggesting she was concealing information.
“It became clear that she was the one concealing something. She was humiliated before everyone. The healer also revealed that while I have my own charms, they are only for the protection of my family and business. I have not spilled any blood, and had nothing to do with what is happening to my brother’s family,” he added.
Shepherd Rusanga maintains that Norman Rusanga, before his death, instructed his family to sell the Gokwe garage and use the proceeds to appease Mushonga’s family.
“He made it clear that the garage should be sold, and the money used to compensate Mushonga’s family in Gokwe. That is the only way peace will prevail in the family. That has not been done up to now, and the avenging spirit is tormenting his family daily,” he explained.
He further stated that he is actively trying to raise US$9 000 to appease the spirit, but faces resistance from others, including Samuponda.
Samuponda, however, remains unconvinced of Shepherd’s innocence, accusing him of using charms to obstruct the truth during their consultation with Sekuru Mutsvairo. She maintains that the avenging spirit demands compensation in cattle and money, and blames the Rusanga family for their inaction.
“When I begged them to help, they dismissed me. I was left to fight this battle alone. Now, even Tawona, my sister’s son has started exuding similar symptoms. This spirit is relentless, and it will not stop until it gets what it wants,” she stated previously.
