Online Reporter
A chilling story from Matetsa, Mutoko, has set tongues wagging and left the community traumatised.
Apparently, the spirit of Susan Madhuku Chomusina, who was allegedly gang-raped and murdered in 2014, is reportedly haunting her family and demanding to be compensated with 13 cattle.
She was 72 when she died under horrific circumstances.
The main suspect is her husband’s younger brother’s son, Simon Chomusina, now 59, who is believed to be on the run.
Simon, along with three accomplices, is alleged to have gang-raped the elderly woman.
Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed that Simon was still at large.
At the time of the incident, the family lived at Plot Number 346 in Matetsa.
According to the deceased’s son, Ephraim Chomusina, the family initially intended to report the matter to the police or traditional leadership.
However, Susan Chomusina’s maternal uncle, Rangarirai Muranga, allegedly blocked the move after the suspect promised him three cattle.
The compensation was never delivered.
The deceased’s spirit is now reportedly manifesting through her granddaughter, Josephine Chomusina, demanding 13 cattle as compensation for her heinous rape and murder.
“My mother’s spirit is tormenting my daughter. It says it wants to be compensated with 13 cattle by the person who killed her. That person also admitted he did it with others . . . ,” said Ephraim Chomusina.
Josephine says she is constantly in pain and believes the spirit will not stop tormenting her until the compensation is paid.
“This spirit is tormenting me day and night. I want the family to come together so that this issue is resolved,” she said.
Rangarirai Muranga confirmed that the family was indeed being haunted.
“It is true; the spirit has appeared. I was promised a cow to keep the matter quiet. That promise was a lie.
“I am now working with the grandchildren to seek justice,” he confirmed. — Mashonaland Central Bureau
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Incensed small house kills lover and his family
A quiet village in Matobo turned into a crime scene on October 30, 2025 when 23-year-old Melissa Ndlovu and her family became victims of a shocking act of violence.
The alleged attacker, Florence Ndlovu, from Ntabazinduna, reportedly poured petrol over the family’s shack and set it ablaze, killing Melissa and severely injuring her husband, Delight Nyathi, and the couple’s one-year-old child.
Florence, who is alleged to have been Delight’s “side chick”, reportedly lost it when she discovered he was living with another woman.
Neighbours watched in horror as the flames engulfed the shack.
With the door locked, they had to break through the walls in their bid to rescue the trio.
“Not knowing whether they were alive destroyed us emotionally,” said Nyathi’s brother, still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. Once rescued, the victims were rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals.
Melissa was pronounced dead on arrival, while Nyathi died the following day.
The baby remains in intensive care.
The suspect is on the run.
“We want answers . . . ,” said one relative.
According to a friend who broke the news, Florence allegedly poured fuel onto the shack where Nyathi, an artisanal miner, stayed.
Melissa’s body was badly burnt, while Nyathi and the child sustained severe burns.
Melissa’s family members said they barely knew Nyathi.
“He never paid the bride price. They came here and left us a US$100 bill, as if that would bring our daughter back,” a grieving relative said.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, another relative of Nyathi said: “My younger brother died in my arms. The pain is unbearable. We hope the police will catch this cold-hearted murderer and put her in jail forever. Our focus now is on the recovery of our grandchild.” — Bulawayo Bureau
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Gweru man unknowingly drives dead friend home
A night of drinking turned into a heartbreaking tragedy in Gweru when a 22-year-old man unknowingly drove his dying friend home, thinking he had merely passed out after binge drinking.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the incident happened in the early hours of Monday after a night out at The Barn nightclub.
The now-deceased Panashe Mashate (38) was stabbed while trying to break up a fight between his friend Munashe Magura and another man during an altercation over ice blocks. “The incident happened while they were drinking beer at The Barn nightclub in Gweru,” said Insp Mahoko.
The attacker immediately fled.
Moments later, the two friends decided to head home in Mashate’s car.
“The now-deceased became unconscious while seated in the driver’s seat,” Insp Mahoko said.
Believing his friend was simply too drunk to drive, Magura moved Mashate to the passenger seat and took the wheel, driving to their home in the Clifton Park high-density suburb.
It was only upon arrival that Magura noticed blood stains on his trousers and realised something was terribly wrong.
“He tried to talk to Mashate, who did not respond and was bleeding from the stomach.”
Police were called to the scene and confirmed that Mashate had died from a stab wound to the stomach.
His body was taken to the Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary as investigations continue. — Midlands Bureau
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Man jailed for hitting gossiping neighbour with machete
They say every neighbourhood has that one person who knows everyone’s business before even the people involved know it.
In Rangemore, that title belonged to Zanele Maseko.
But this time, her sharp tongue invited serious trouble.
Apparently, Zanele began telling everyone who cared to listen that Joseph Nyathi’s wife was expecting.
Nyathi was, however, not amused.
On October 19, around 10pm, he stormed Maseko’s home while armed with an empty beer bottle.
He demanded to know why she was spreading rumours that did not concern her.
When Maseko opened the door, Nyathi allegedly smashed the bottle and advanced towards her.
But the onlookers intervened and peace was restored. Nyathi returned moments later, this time brandishing a machete.
While he aimed at Zanele’s mouth, the machete struck her forehead.
Nyathi immediately fled, while Zanele was rushed to hospital.
A police report was made, leading to Nyathi’s arrest. Western Commonage regional magistrate Pasipanodya Maturure found Nyathi guilty of attempted murder.
He was sentenced to five years in prison, with two years suspended on condition of good behaviour. Nyathi will now serve the remaining three years of his sentence. — Bulawayo Bureau
