A Zimbabwean man from Zhombe Village in Masvingo, suspected to be tormented by avenging spirits, has walked nearly 1 000km, while pushing a wheelbarrow from his rural home to Beit Bridge, saying he was running away from a “group of people” stalking him.

Mr John Chinhongo (72) claims that the mysterious people following him are giving him sleepless nights and he is now looking for a tranquil place to stay away from the hustle and bustle. Limpopo Mirror caught up with Chinhongo just outside the Mbalabala area on Thursday. He was pushing a wheelbarrow stuffed with clothes, blankets and pots. He said he was coming from Beit Bridge, heading to Botswana.

Chinhongo has become an attraction for passersby who are giving him foodstuff.

“I come from Zhombe and started my journey last month. I am running away from a group of people following me. They threaten me with death if I resist taking their orders. They are really disturbing my peace, and anytime I try to settle down, they continue to push me, instructing me to move on.

“When I arrived in Masvingo from my village, they ordered me to go to Beit Bridge. Upon my arrival in Beit Bridge, they told me to proceed to Botswana, so that is where I am going now to settle for the rest of my life,” he said.

Chinhongo relies on food handouts from well-wishers and motorists and for security, he says, his masters, who are reportedly the ones stalking him, are his source of strength.

“As for food, I rely on handouts from well-wishers, and I only take a bath when I come across a river. Even if I am offered a lift, I will not accept the offer as those people stalking me pledged to give me the security and strength to continue walking,” he said.

Chinhongo further said he was going to make a stop-over in Bulawayo before proceeding with his long journey to Botswana.

When Limpopo Mirror asked him if he had any travel documents in place for him to cross to Botswana, he claimed that those people guarding him would assist him to cross the border to his promised land.

It remains a mystery, however, whether the man will ever reach his destination.