Ghost Sightings of Machadodorp and the Mpumalanga Highlands

It has long been believed that ghosts abound in our Mpumalanga Highlands. Ghost enthusiasts and clairvoyants sense that the conflicts of bygone years result in wandering, unresolved spirits still locked in this world searching for answers. An old man has been seen repeatedly at the Machadodorp Police Station near the cells, sitting waiting. This used to be the village hospital, so it is believed he waits for a loved one in the hospital. In the main street of Machadodorp, now called Butana Jele St, a headless man is said to cruise at night. This ghost was reported in the newspapers in the 1940s. He was believed to be a wild red haired Scots soldier who was cheated out of some money during the South African wars. During the fight over the cash he was decapitated, and now wanders the streets with his head under his arm. Some red coat soldier ghosts are believed to appear close to Lydenburg, now Masheshing, from an even earlier era of history. Then there is the Afrikaans nurse who fell in love with a wounded British soldier. They meet nightly under a tree - now blown down - which was next to the military hospital in Waterval Onder. A ghost is reported at the Dalmanutha Station one night only annually, when the train goes by. This is the anniversary of the night that a stationmaster was murdered and his body buried in a shallow grave at the station. A poltergeist ghost catches out sleeping policemen at the Machadodorp police station, taking their guns from their holsters and placing them on the counter. And at one of the waterfalls close to Waterval Boven where a honeymoon couple's tragedy occurred, they are often see reunited. At Green Pastures Farmhouse an elderly lady watches over sleeping visitors.

And now I am rather excited to report that during March an Absolute Leisure guest reported that he sensed the presence of a ghost watching over him as he slept. Perhaps the old lady from Green Pastures has come to visit!? Now don't all rush over to check out this ghost sighting! It’s the first report of a ghost at Absolute Leisure since the cottages were started 7 years ago!