Bulawayo – Veteran Zimbabwean journalist Methuseli Moyo, a seasoned voice in the nation’s media and a lecturer at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), is living through a real-life nightmare.
For the past six weeks, Moyo and his family have been tormented by a series of inexplicable fires, culminating in the loss of US$20,000 in a bizarre incident that defies rational explanation.
Moyo, based in Bulawayo, had recently sold a house in the Rangemore suburb. His intention was to use the proceeds to complete his family’s new home in Pumula North, a dream now potentially up in smoke. He placed the money inside a wooden wardrobe for safekeeping, a decision he now regrets.
In a twist that has left investigators and onlookers baffled, while the cash was reduced to ashes, the wardrobe itself and the clothes inside remained untouched by the flames. This detail has added a layer of mystery and anguish to an already devastating situation.
“I have been living in hell. Someone is tormenting me, and I don’t know why?” said Moyo during an emotionally charged interview at his New Magwegwe family home. His voice was heavy with sorrow as he recounted the harrowing events.
“We have been experiencing mysterious fires, and I have even suffered burns on my back. On Sunday, we had just collected US$20,000 from the house sale. Aware of these strange occurrences, I was planning to wrap the money in a plastic bag and place it in a bucket of water, just in case the fires erupted again,” he explained.
However, fate intervened. As he briefly stepped outside to attend to his mechanic, he asked his wife to put the money in the wardrobe. Moments later, she called him inside for a meal. He said as soon as they got into the house, they noticed heavy smoke billowing from their bedroom.
Rushing inside, they opened the wardrobe, and what they saw was like something from a horror movie — flames engulfed the money, reducing it to ashes, yet the wooden wardrobe and the clothes inside were unscathed.
“There were flames and all the money had been reduced to ashes. You may not believe this but despite being a wooden wardrobe, it did not catch fire and the clothes were also not burnt. The fire was only concentrated on the money,” said Mr Moyo, his voice breaking with emotion.
The unexplained fires continue to haunt Moyo, leaving him searching for answers. The flames have devoured all his formal clothes, important documents, and even two of his couches, striking without warning.
The relentless and inexplicable fires have shattered Moyo’s sense of security, leaving him desperate for answers. The unexplained fires continue to haunt Moyo, leaving him searching for answers.
A once-pragmatic man, Moyo admitted that his ordeal has forced him to consider avenues he never thought he would. He said he never believed in supernatural forces, but now his family has no choice. Moyo said they have sought help from religious leaders, prophets and even traditional healers.
“The fire just erupts anytime, sengizwile bantu bakithi ngicela uncedo (I have suffered guys, I am begging for help)” said Mr Moyo, appealing for help in his native Ndebele language.
Overwhelmed and out of options, Moyo made a heartfelt appeal to the public, seeking any form of assistance, be it financial, spiritual or even just words of guidance.
“If ever there is someone out there that I may have wronged unintentionally and he or she thinks that I am aware, please I am appealing to this person to come forward so that I apologise,” he said, his voice heavy with sorrow.
Mr Moyo said he can’t take it anymore, and is also willing to pay the tormentor for him to be forgiven.
“I have suffered enough and I can’t take it anymore. My life and that of my family has been turned into a horror movie. We can’t bear it anymore. We have reached a stage where we feel the world must know what we are going through,” he said, his desperation palpable.
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