Vusumuzi Dube
Sikhumbuzo Moyo , [email protected]
VETERAN journalist, Methuseli Moyo, has been thrust into a real-life nightmare after losing US$20 000 in a baffling fire that has tormented him and his family for the past six weeks.
Moyo, who also lectures at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), had just sold a house in Rangemore suburb, planning to use the proceeds to complete his family’s new home in Pumula North.
He placed the money inside a wooden wardrobe for safekeeping, a decision that would soon add to his anguish.
In a bizarre twist, while the cash was reduced to ashes, the wardrobe itself and the clothes inside remained untouched by the flames.
“I have been living in hell. Someone is tormenting me, and I don’t know why? These mysterious fires keep erupting, and I have even suffered burns on my back,” said Moyo during an interview.
He recounted the harrowing events of Sunday when he lost the cash to the fire.
“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 said.
But fate had other plans. 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 relentless and inexplicable fires have shattered Moyo’s sense of security, leaving him desperate for answers.
The flames have devoured all his formal clothes, important documents, and even two of his couches, striking without warning.
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,” said Mr Moyo.
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.
Online Reporter