Johnson Progress.

A decade-old secret has erupted into a chilling supernatural crisis in Mutoko, where an avenging spirit is reportedly wreaking havoc upon a family, demanding compensation for the alleged 2014 murder of a 72-year-old woman by her own son.

 

The spirit of the late Susan Madhuku Chomusina is said to be manifesting through her granddaughter, insisting on a payment of thirteen cattle from the accused, Simon Chomusina, who is now the subject of a police manhunt.

Police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe has confirmed that authorities in Mashonaland East are actively searching for Simon Chomusina in connection with the alleged murder.

The case, initially concealed by the family, has now found its way to the Rushinga police station, where the suspect is believed to be residing.

The tragic events unfolded on September 24, 2014, at Plot Number 346, Matetsa Farm.

The Chomusina family structure was complex, with the late Mr Elias Chomusina having two wives with the senior wife, Susan Madhuku Chomusina, and a younger wife, Annah Madhuku Chomusina.

Simon Chomusina, 59, the accused, is the son of the younger wife.

In the immediate aftermath of Susan’s death, the family made a collective decision not to involve the authorities.

Her son, Ephraim Chomusina, 59, explained that this decision was heavily influenced by his maternal uncle.

He elaborated on the failed cover-up, stating, “My mother and my aunt, the younger wife of my father, were very close. Therefore, our uncle, my mother’s brother, refused to have the case reported to the police, chiefs, or headmen after being promised three cattle by the perpetrator, which they never gave. My mother’s body was then buried as if nothing wrong had happened.”

However, the truth refused to stay buried.

The family claims that Susan’s spirit began to torment her 29-year-old granddaughter, Josephine Chomusina.

Ephraim revealed the spirit’s specific demands, explaining, “My mother’s spirit started to make my child, Josephine Chomusina, sick, saying that it wants to be compensated with thirteen cattle, which it says should be paid by my brother who killed my mother. This spirit says that my brother did this with four other men. As a family, we once met with the brother who is being pointed to by the avenging spirit, and he admitted that it was true that he killed my mother.”

This account was corroborated by the deceased’s daughter, Laiza Chomusina, 52, who confirmed the spirit’s emergence and its demands.

She also confirmed that the case has now been formally reported to the police.

The granddaughter at the center of the spiritual affliction, Josephine Chomusina, described her suffering, lamenting, “This spirit is affecting me. My wish is that, as a family, we should put our heads together and have these cattle paid, because it is now causing my body to be constantly in pain.”

Meanwhile, Rangarirai Muranga, the uncle accused of suppressing the initial report, acknowledged the spirit’s manifestation but denied any wrongdoing.

He stated, “Indeed, the information I am hearing is that my sister was murdered and also that her spirit is now manifesting in her granddaughter. As an uncle, I am working with these grandchildren to ensure that things are resolved, but the claims that I was promised cattle to prevent the case from being reported to the police are false.”

As the police investigation continues, the family in Mutoko remains caught between the pursuit of legal justice and the urgent demands of an avenging spirit, a stark reminder of a dark past that has returned to haunt them.