Debunking the myths of goblins . . . Do goblins really exist and how genuine are the a�?cleansing ritualsa��?

Raymond Jaravaza
A SPRAWLING Bulawayo suburb considered one of the biggest in the city by size and population, Cowdray Park, is home to 33 000 households and still growing.

An area of the suburb known as the Garikai section is under attack from mysterious creatures called goblins or otikoloshi in native IsiNdebele.

But the problem goes beyond residents ducking and diving for cover from stones thrown by the invisible creatures, at least to the naked eye.

Self-proclaimed goblin a�?cleansersa�? besieged the area with promises to rid the area of the mysterious creatures, all for a fee of course.

And the Ward Councillor for the suburb, Collet Ndhlovu, is worried the lure of quick riches from desperate residentsa�� hard earned cash is attracting conmen disguised as a�?goblin cleansersa�?.

a�?These people (fake tsikamutandas) come here under the illusion that because Cowdray Park has 33 000 houses and if each household contributes one dollar then they will make a quick $33 000 from desperate residents.

a�?What they dona��t realise is that ita��s only a few houses in the Garikai section that are under attack from the goblins and there is not much money to be made from cleansing the area,a�? said Ndhlovu.

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