Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A CHILLING tale of inexplicable footsteps and recurring deaths every three years, has plagued the Magura family of Mutasa District, leaving them terrified and seeking answers.
Clayton Magura recently dragged his relatives to Chief Mutasa’s community court, accusing them of refusing to assist him and his brothers to find solutions to a supposed family curse.
Magura recounted the unsettling events at his homestead, which have been haunting them for years. The strange occurrences began after consulting a prophetic healer, he claimed.
The mysterious footsteps started after consulting a healer, leaving the family petrified, and suspicious that one of their relatives might be behind it.
Magura said the prophetic healer warned him of spiritual forces at work in his home. However, the healer refused to visit Magura’s homestead, fearing that the forces might harm him.
“The healer told me that I am surrounded by intense spiritual activities, and advised me to pray and seek help. Since then, we have been hearing inexplicable footsteps at night, sometimes on the roof.
This has persisted for years, with no solution,” he said, further claiming that he consulted his uncles about the issue, but they dismissed his concerns, attributing the footsteps to ancestral visits.
“Their response was unsettling. Instead of offering help, they spoke of ancestral visits. That is why I have brought them before this court today,” said Magura, expressing sadness, frustration, and feeling abandoned by his relatives.
“Our parents and grandparents have passed on, leaving us with no one to turn to, but these relatives. It is disheartening that they are not taking our plight seriously,” he insisted.
He said the strange occurrences began when he constructed his homestead.
Magura shared another unsettling experience that occurred before his marriage. “I decided to build a house at our family homestead, and enlisted help to mould bricks.
“However, the workers began complaining that one brick would mysteriously disappear every morning. This went on for days, and despite our efforts, we could not identify the culprit,” he said.
Magura never occupied the house, and it has remained empty for five years.
“I was warned that anyone who stays in that house will die. That is why it has remained unoccupied all this time,” he revealed, adding to the growing list of unexplained and ominous events plaguing his family.
Magura continued to recount the bizarre occurrences at his homestead.
“After my wife gave birth, we were shocked to discover that our new-born baby’s umbilical cord had vanished. Despite an extensive search, we assumed it had been misplaced. However, six months later, we found it on our bed. That is when we realised that something was seriously amiss at our home,” he said.
Magura also described a harrowing incident involving two large snakes.
“One day, we walked into the kitchen to find two big snakes coiled around our child. My wife’s swift reaction saved the baby, as she rushed to grab our child, the snakes slithered away into a hole. We live in constant fear after that incident,” he said, adding that a year later, his brother attempted to cleanse the homestead by sprinkling anointed water around the property.
However, the same snakes reappeared the next morning, perpetuating the sense of dread that had settled over the family.
Magura also expressed the devastating impact of the calamities on his family. “Since 2009, we have been experiencing a series of inexplicable deaths, claiming both adults and children.
It appears that every three years, death inevitably strikes. We believe these tragedies are connected to the mysterious footsteps and hauntings,” he said.
His elder brother, Walter, corroborated his claims.
“I have lost two children to these spiritual attacks. Each time, the deaths occur without warning, and our elders attribute them to ancestral calls. But how can our ancestors harm their own children? We need genuine answers,” he said.
Desperate for solutions, Clayton brought several relatives, including Saul, Morgan, Timothy, Sylvia and Joseph Magura, before the court, accusing them of refusing to assist in finding spiritual help.
“I have brought them here because they claim the footsteps are ancestral visits. If they are so knowledgeable, they should help us consult healers. I will not fold my arms while my family members are dying with elders remaining mum,” said Clayton.
However, the relatives denied withholding assistance.
Saul, a Harare resident, claimed he barely knew Clayton.
“I do not even know him. We were introduced today. He has never discussed these issues with me. How can he yank me to court without having a proper conversation?” asked Saul.
Morgan echoed similar sentiments, denying any involvement or knowledge of the family’s spiritual struggles.
“I stay far away from him, and have no knowledge of the footsteps or snakes he claims. This is the first time I am hearing about these issues. I cannot be held responsible for something I am unaware of,” he said.
Joseph also denied any involvement.
“I have nothing to do with these problems. If there are indeed mysterious footsteps, they should be thoroughly investigated.
However, I cannot provide answers for things I have not witnessed myself,” he said.
In contrast, Timothy acknowledged that Clayton and Walter had approached him with their concerns.
“Yes, they shared their worries with me. I advised them that this issue requires a collective effort from the entire family. We are currently working towards finding a solution. I firmly believe that we must come together as a family and seek proper spiritual guidance,” he said.
Chief Mutasa sternly reprimanded the family for their disunity and emphasised the need for collective action.
“This issue demands your undivided attention. Regardless of whether the footsteps are ancestral or malevolent in nature, you must confront it together as a family. The recurring deaths warrant your unity.
“You cannot afford to remain fragmented. Unite and consult healers collectively,” ruled Chief Mutasa.
His judgment brought the proceedings to a close, but not before he underscored the importance of family solidarity.
“Disunity will only exacerbate your suffering. Whether you place faith in healers, prophets, or prayers, you must act as one. Only through unity can this curse – if indeed it exists – will be lifted,” he added.
He adjourned the matter to a later date, leaving the Magura family to ponder his words and work towards reconciliation.
