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IMAGINE waking up to find your pots and pantry mysteriously emptied!
This stranger-than-fiction experience has been affecting three families in St Peters, a Bulawayo suburb near Old Pumula, for a week.
To make matters worse, they are often pelted with stones and their windows are smashed by the notorious invisible beings.
Due to these terrifying attacks, believed to be carried out by goblins, two of the three families have since abandoned their homes.
We visited the area recently and found Xolani Mlalazi’s homestead deserted.
The doors were locked and the bedroom windowpanes shattered. Additionally, stones littered the yard.
A relative and neighbour, Lister Tshuma, described the strange occurrences.
“Recently, while we were having supper, our tenants burst into our living room, screaming that they were being stoned. They told us that one of the doors had been flung open and stones rained into the room, forcing them to flee,” she said.
Despite seeking help from divine healers, the attacks continued.
“The tenants joined forces with my daughter and other community members to exorcise the place through prayer. But they returned running, terrified, because the invisible creatures were throwing stones at them. One tenant slept here, while the other stayed at a neighbour’s place,” added Lister.
The affected families are still traumatised and terrified.
“Two tenants have left the home, while some of us are staying at our neighbour’s place,” said Siphathisiwe Moyo.
“The invisible creature empties sugar and mealie meal on the floor. We do not know what to do because it also eats our meat. This situation has plunged our lives into a crisis and filled us with fear.”
At another homestead, a woman who identified herself as NaMolly revealed a disturbing experience.
She woke up one morning without her underwear, but she does not believe she was sexually violated.
“This thing is troubling me and I am living in fear that it will eventually rape me. When I sleep, I do not remove my underwear, but surprisingly, for the past three days, I have woken up in the morning to find it on the floor,” she said.
At Phindani Moyo’s homestead, the doors were locked and the house was empty.
The area’s chairperson, Reginald Mkhosana, confirmed the incidents.
“We will convene a meeting with families and elderly people in the community to plan how to eradicate these invisible beings. We do not want witch-hunters, as they divide communities. We want a pastor or prophet to come and cleanse the area, leaving us united as a community,” he said. — B-Metro
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Man handed jail term for stealing uniforms, underwear from learners
Solomon Mathew Zvapangana (23), of Marange Growth Point, was recently slapped with a 20-month jail sentence after he stole school uniforms and underwear from learners.
The State successfully proved that on September 2 and 3, Zvapangana, using the cover of darkness, cut a fence at Holy Ghost College to gain entry into the premises.
“He proceeded to the male hostels, broke a window and gained entry. The accused person stole a variety of items, including school uniforms, underwear and other personal belongings. He went unnoticed,” the statement read.
The complainant, Justice Mafi, who is the headmaster of the college, noticed that the property was missing and reported the matter to the police.
Investigations led to the accused person’s arrest, and the stolen property, valued at US$1 963, was recovered from his mother’s bedroom.
Zvapangana was sentenced to 20 months in prison. Eight months were suspended for five years, while an additional 12 months were suspended on condition he performs 420 hours of community service. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Zimbabwe woman shot dead, body fed to pigs
The Mankweng Magistrates’ Court in South Africa has postponed a murder case against three men accused of fatally shooting Maria Makgato (45) and Lucia Ndlovu (34) on August 17 before feeding their bodies to pigs.
Their remains were discovered on August 21 at Onverwacht Farm in Sebayeng, outside Mankweng, Limpopo.
The accused — Zacariah Olivier (60), Adriaan De Wet (19) and William Musoro (45) — are facing two counts of murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and defeating the course of justice.
Musoro faces an additional charge of contravening the Immigration Act.
The court heard that De Wet will be represented by a new lawyer, Muhammed Farouk.
De Wet, however, accused the police of assaulting him in custody and intends to open a criminal case against the South African Police Service.
“Your worship, during consultation with my client, it was noted that my client was assaulted and tortured by some of the police. My client also recognises the person who was part of the assault.
‘‘I do not know if the court will grant permission for my client to point at the person,” revealed Farouk.
Responding to the assault allegations, Capricorn district police commissioner Major-General Lesiba Mashilo said: “As far as the assault allegations against the police are concerned, what I will indicate is that from where we are sitting, our police officers are well-trained and always urged to follow lawful procedures when dealing with suspects.
“These allegations will be subjected to investigations and the victim in this matter is also allowed to approach the police and open an assault case, which will, therefore, be probed by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.”
On August 30, the case was postponed to give the defence sufficient time for consultations with their clients.
The bail application will now be heard at the Polokwane Regional Court.
This follows the issuance of a confirmation certificate by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Polokwane, Advocate Ivy Thenga.
“The DPP has issued a certificate indicating that the bail application hearing be held in the Regional Court of Polokwane on October 2, 2024. The accused persons are remanded in custody,” said National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzangi.
Makgato was laid to rest on September 1, in Kotishing village, outside Polokwane; while Lucia’s body was repatriated to her home country, Zimbabwe.
The sole survivor of the attack, Mabuto Ndlovu, who sustained gunshot wounds, is now out of hospital. — Wires
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Artisanal minor sentenced to life in prison for murder
A 35-year-old artisanal miner, Courage Hwami, was sentenced to life in prison by Gweru High Court judge Justice Naison Chivayo after being convicted of murder.
Hwami, from Mkoba 13 suburb, was found guilty of murder and attempted murder after a full trial.
The incident occurred on December 4, 2023, around 3am, at Vhudzijena Night Club.
A dispute arose between Hwami and Courage Sibanda, the deceased.
Caretaker Nomore Hove attempted to intervene, but Hwami stabbed Sibanda twice, causing fatal injuries.
Hwami then stabbed Hove, who survived.
Hwami pleaded not guilty, claiming
he carried the knife for protection as a miner.
However, the court rejected his defence.
In addition to the life sentence for murder, Justice Chivayo sentenced Hwami to an additional 10 years for attempted murder, to run concurrently.
The police arrested Hwami and recovered the knife used in the attack.
A post-mortem determined that Sibanda died from hypovolemic shock caused by stab wounds to the chest. — Wires
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