In a shocking turn of events, Judith Machao, a 69-year-old Buhera woman, has stunned her community with a jaw-dropping claim: her husband, Canisio Machao, who she thought was dead and buried in 2011, is very much alive. According to Judith, she bumped into Canisio in Murambinda earlier this year, and he’s been playing a cat-and-mouse game with her ever since.
Judith alleges that her in-laws, in cahoots with Canisio, staged an elaborate deception to make her believe he had died, all in a bid to seize their Glen View 7 home in Harare. Her brother-in-law, Peter Machao, reportedly seized the property just weeks after the funeral. Judith claims she’s been living in limbo, fighting to reclaim her home and her life.
The saga has divided the family, with Judith’s daughter, Sylvia, insisting that her father is truly dead. “He divorced my mother long before his death. He was a widower when he passed. We buried him. She’s confused and disturbing the dead,” Sylvia said. However, Judith’s niece, Nyevero Chinoona, believes her aunt’s story, saying, “It was shocking. My aunt is convinced she saw him. Who are we to doubt her? She’s of sound mind and has never suffered from any mental illness.”
Some believe that Judith might have seen an apparition or ghost. Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA) president, Mr. George Kandiero, weighed in, suggesting that Judith’s encounter could be attributed to spiritual manipulation or rituals done at the grave.
Despite conflicting accounts, Judith is determined to fight for what she believes is hers. She’s initiated legal proceedings to reclaim the Glen View 7 house and is ready to take on her in-laws and the system. “This is not just about a house. It’s about justice. I’ve been homeless for 14 years while they enjoyed what we built together. Enough is enough,” she declared.
As the legal and spiritual dust begins to swirl, only time will tell if Judith’s story is a tragic delusion, a ghost story come to life, or an elaborate hoax finally unraveling. One thing is certain: Judith will stop at nothing to uncover the truth and claim her rightful place in her home and her life. Will Canisio Machao finally reveal himself, or will the truth remain shrouded in mystery? The drama unfolds…
