The Sunday Mail
THE way your skin crawled after watching horror films like “The Conjuring”, “Gothika” and “The Ring” will pale into insignificance when you read through this living nightmare for three children from Magwegwe North in Bulawayo.
A series of unsettling occurrences and relentless torment from unseen and mischievous creatures, suspected to be goblins, has turned the children’s lives topsy-turvy.
Reports of the supernatural harassment that is going on are chilling. Objects mysteriously disappear in the house, unexplained noises echo through the walls and even physical assaults from unseen forces have been reported.
Windows and doors are also reportedly opening and closing on their own, lights are flickering, sounds of unseen activity are being heard and even food is disappearing while cooking.
The three children — aged eight, 12 and 13 — are staying with their elderly grandparents.
Narrating the ordeal, a family member who wished to remain anonymous spoke of their desperation for help.
“We do not know what to do anymore. It started last November. One morning, our children woke up with their heads shaved. We thought it was a one-off thing.
“The next day, our youngest child woke up in the middle of the night, screaming. He had been stabbed in the leg with a knife! He also woke up with his head shaved again. We were all terrified and completely clueless about what was happening,” said the family member, in a voice trembling with fear.
From then on, narrated the family member, the paranormal torment escalated.
Windows and doors would open and slam shut on their own, lights turning on and off, pots and food disappearing while cooking and sounds of someone cooking in the kitchen heard, even when no one was there.
“We sought help from different prophets and churches but the situation only worsened after each attempt. Doors and windows would come open inexplicably, our children’s clothes, especially their uniforms, would be torn and they could no longer attend school.
“We hired a spiritual healer for a cleansing ceremony. The following day, the house mysteriously caught fire, but only the bedrooms were affected. Everything in the kitchen and dining room was untouched,” said the family member.
Desperate for a solution, they sent the children to South Africa to stay with their maternal grandmother but the uncanny events followed them there and resumed within three days of their arrival.
While in South Africa, the family reported that the children were again being beaten, and unseen dark forces were causing destruction within their temporary refuge.
Food was tampered with, windows were broken, clothes were scattered around and money mysteriously vanished from the house.
The children were later brought back to Zimbabwe.
“We tried to protect the children by making them sleep at a neighbour’s house, but the disturbances again followed them there. One night, the neighbour’s room was affected again, and they were soaked with water. We are at a loss.
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“The children are suffering the most and there is no peace in our lives. Everyone is afraid of us, and we do not know where to turn. We are pleading for any help we can get,” said the family member.
The children’s grandmother, Mayinesi Chongwe, tearfully revealed that the community was now labelling her a witch.
“At 80 years old, I have never practised witchcraft or used any charms. I am a Christian.
“Some neighbours accuse me of witchcraft, believing I am behind these misfortunes.
“This makes getting help difficult. When a fire broke out, neighbours merely watched, instead of helping. This was fuelled by these suspicions,” said a teary Chongwe.
As our crew was leaving the house, a strange brick from the house flew through the air and shattered a window.
A neighbour, Ruramai Dliwayo, believes the metaphysical creatures are intent on harming the three children.
“The children were sleeping in my living room when a teapot and cups from the display cabinet were mysteriously moved and used to hit the children throughout the night,” she explained.
“My grandchild who was sleeping nearby ran away in fear and slept inside the wardrobe. I am convinced these unseen forces have one goal: to kill the children.
‘‘I fear they may die while under my care,” she said.
One of the victims, a 13-year-old girl whose identity is being protected, revealed that the alleged preternatural activity has made her life unbearable. She said she is too scared to attend school for fear of being stripped naked.
“I am afraid of going to school because whenever I get ready, I find my uniform torn or missing.
“It has become impossible for me to attend classes because all my uniforms are damaged and I have nothing to wear.
“We sometimes get slapped or hit by stones that seem to appear out of nowhere, making our lives a living nightmare,” she said. Those wishing to offer assistance can contact the family at: +263783994298. — B-Metro
