Tree branch fire torments family . . . Daughters-in-law suffer alone as hubbies flee homestead

. Nhlalwenhle Ncube
TRADITIONAL healers and prophets have so far failed to help a Mberengwa family haunted by a mysterious fire which occasionally burns huts and property.

The fire starts from a tree branch then moves as if therea��s someone holding it with an invisible hand.

This has been the case for 19 years resulting in three daughters-in-law facing the torment alone as their husbands fled.

The daughters-in-law have sought help but to no avail and are living in fear because they have been told the fire would go away after burning some family members to death.

a�?The fire started sometime in 1997 and at that time our mother and father-in-law were still alive. They too failed to solve the problem,a�? said one of the daughters-in-law Fungai Matutu.

Prophets and traditional healers told them varying reasons behind the mystery fire.

a�?Some prophets told us our father-in-lawa��s first wife was behind everything. It is said she was angry about her property which after her death was not given to her family. Instead, our mother-in-law continued using it,a�? added Matutu.

Ita��s believed that avenging spirits are angry as such the daughters-in-law cana��t do anything about it but their husbands could give it a try.

a�?My husband is based in Johannesburg and my two brothers-in-law are in Chegutu. At the homestead ita��s only us and therea��s nothing we can do.

a�?We hope our husbands will come home and solve the issue. We dona��t have anywhere to go and our lives are at risk,a�? said Florence Rutongo, another daughter-in-law.

The village head, Isaac Chitogwa had also tried to help.

a�?We tried helping by inviting prophets but they failed. The family knows the truth and they should sort out the problem before ita��s too late,a�? he said.