Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
A MYSTERIOUS homestead in the Gqalaza area under Chief Khulumani Mathema has sent shivers down spines after villagers discovered it still packed with belongings that look new — despite being abandoned more than 35 years ago!
Photos that made waves on Facebook last week show a ghostly yet strangely preserved house with intact walls, a roof still holding strong, and furniture untouched by time. According to those who’ve dared peek inside, it’s as if the former occupants vanished into thin air, leaving behind everything, from beds and boxes to buckets and clay pots.
The house, now referred to as inxiwa (abandoned ruin), has become a no-go zone, with locals convinced it’s haunted. No one knows who the original family was or why they fled without taking their possessions.
“People are afraid to even step near the place,” a villager told B-Metro. “It’s been standing like that for decades. The windows and doors were stolen, but inside, everything is still there. Not even termites have touched it!”
Chief Mathema confirmed he has visited the eerie homestead after hearing growing whispers from the community.
“I first heard about it last week,” said the chief. “I went there myself, although I didn’t enter the house. From the outside I could see the belongings inside. They looked exactly as people said. The place is old, that’s clear. Some children are even said to have come out of the house carrying dried sugar!”
So why hasn’t time claimed the house and its contents?
“That could be because the roof is still intact,” the chief speculated.
In a traditional twist, local elders and spiritual advisors have reportedly suggested a cultural cleansing ceremony to deal with the ghostly leftovers.
“We were advised that all the items should be gathered and either burned or buried in a sacred place,” Chief Mathema said. “Only then should the house be demolished.”
The elders believe such abandoned homesteads bring spiritual disturbance and may even be linked to the region’s poor rainfall patterns.
“This kind of place, where spirits may linger, can disrupt harmony in the community,” said the chief. “It must be dealt with properly.”
Now, Gqalaza villagers are waiting to see whether tradition and cleansing can bring peace — and rain — back to the area. Until then, the strange homestead remains untouched, guarding its secrets in plain sight. (Pictures by Lasborn Dube)
35 years ago our rural setup was still intact. A headman is supposed to know and register all those who reside in an area that is under his jurisdiction.
In short, this is a hanging story.