SHAYANDIMA – Life is becoming very difficult for the Vhengani family of Shayandima Zone 7, following a mysterious fire that has been haunting them since January 3.

According to Sheron Vhengani (21), the mysterious fire, which is similar to the one that terrorised the Makongoza family in Nzhelele and the Royal family of Kutama in Ha-Kutama in recent times, allegedly started in one of the rooms of their house, when she was breast-feeding her two months old baby during the night. "I then saw dark smoke coming out from the other room. When we went to that room we found that the clothes kept in the wardrobe were on fire, even though the wall-drop itself was not affected. My husband Samuel (35) managed to control the fire with water from the tap," said Sheron.

The fire started again on Thursday afternoon on the same clothes that were kept in the room. On Friday evening at about 20:30, it again started on an umbrella, which was put on top of the wardrobe and again started on the bed and curtain, she said.

Mirror arrived a few minutes after the fire destroyed a sofa on Wednesday morning. On arrival, a very tired Sheron was sittting alone under a mango tree, while the two children from the neighbour were playing with her son. She was surrounded by valuable household items that were damaged by the fire. These include sofas, bedding, linen and clothes.

Vhengani, the owner of the house who only relies on a disability pension grant, said the fire, which he never thought would start in his house, shocked him. "I had never seen such a thing in my life. I am stunned because people claim it can happen if you have debts or have a grudge with somebody. My wife and myself do not have a grudge against anybody. I appeal to people to come and pray for us so that this fire can stop. I have lost valuable property, and I am afraid I won't be able to replace it with my small grant," said Vhengani who has been sleeping under the tree with his wife and children since the fire started.

The police spokesperson in the Far North, Capt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi confirmed that the fire was attacking the same way as the ones that struck at Nzhelele and Ha-Kutama. Mushavhanamadi said they would send their experts to investigate.

Meanwhile, Takalani Mathivha the president of the Traditional Healers Association of South Africa said the family should consult the Kutama and Makongoza family to find out how they solved their problems. Mathivha said they would also investigate if there is any of their family members who might be supplying people with that type of concoctions that cause such fire.

During the time of the press, ward councillor Alex Muthinya Nemakonde said they would provide a tent for the family so that they could get a temporary shelter. Nemakonde also appealed to the nation to help the Vhengani family with any kind of assistance.