Nkulumane murder, suicide case: House owner demands cleansing

has demanded that the assailant’s family cleanse his home.
The murder and suicide occurred in the city between the evening of Thursday and Friday morning last week.
It is understood that trouble began when Buhe Madzikatire was drinking beer with his nephew Mthulisi Nkomo, both aged 20. The pair argued over who was going to prepare their Thursday supper. Nkomo is alleged to have fatally stabbed Madzikatire before fleeing the scene.
He was later found hanging from a tree in the yard of a house in the same neighbourhood.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Glenn Sibanda said he had asked the Nkomos to cleanse his residence soon after the burial of the two men. The burial is likely to take place later this week.
“We sat down as the two families and I told them that according to my culture my house should be cleansed taking into consideration the gravity of the incident.
“The fact a stranger took his life within my premises means that the house could be haunted and it should therefore be cleansed as soon as possible,” said Mr Sibanda.
He said the tree on which Nkomo hanged himself has since been cut down.
“The family came here recently and cut the tree before performing certain rituals on the scene of the suicide,” said Mr Sibanda.
He said after the rituals they burnt the lemon tree, which was about three-metres tall.
“Initially they agreed that they would come and sort this issue after burying the two. I told them that they should foot the bill of the inyanga or a prophet that is going to conduct the cleansing ritual
“I am the one who is going to find the right person to cleanse my home while their part is to provide payment. If they bring their own person to do the job I will not agree because it will be against tradition,” said Mr Sibanda.
Cultural activist, Mr Pathisa Nyathi said there was a need for Mr Sibanda’s home to be cleansed so that the late Nkomo’s troubled spirit does not haunt them.
“The home needs to be cleansed so that the Sibanda family is not cursed otherwise they might find family members also committing suicide,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Nkomo family said those interested in writing the “real story” should attend the funeral.
The relatives however declined to give the burial date.