Tuesday 30, July
Daily News (Zimbabwe)
Headmaster flees as hysteria grips school
7/30/02 9:01:43 AM (GMT +2)
by Staff Reporter
THE headmaster of St Marks Secondary School in Mhondoro has
fled the school following accusations by parents that he
possesses goblins which have sexually harassed female
students and teachers.
Last Wednesday, the school was closed over the allegations
which have sent shock-waves throughout the rural community.
Angry parents were on Tuesday collecting their children from
the school, demanding to see the headmaster, who was
understood to have fled the school.
Reporters arriving at the school heard female students and
teachers complain of sexual harassment and of being beaten
up by "invisible objects".
Most students had by late Wednesday afternoon left the
school while the remaining few could be seen milling around,
waiting for their parents to come and take them home.
Teachers said those affected by the activities of the
alleged goblins would behave in a strange manner,
characterised by hysteria.
"I witnessed one incident when a student went into a
trance," said a teacher who refused to be named for fear of
victimisation.
"He was demanding meat, threatening that after finishing
with the students, the spirits would attack the teachers
next. We are living in fear here."
The incidents have disrupted the mid-year examinations which
were in progress at the school. Schools are due to close for
holidays on 1 August.
The schools deputy headmaster was evasive about the alleged
evil spirits at the school and referred all questions to the
regional offices of the Ministry of Education, Sports and
Culture in Chegutu.
"As far as we are concerned, things are normal here. We will
still carry on with lessons with the remaining students and
life goes on," he said.
The deputy headmaster would not allow his name to be
published because of Public Services regulations.
Ignatius Angara, the District Education Officer for
Mhondoro, confirmed the incidents had been reported to their
offices.
"We have heard that the children are praying about it, but I
cant really say much. We are still investigating," said
Angara. Reverend Rinashe of the Anglican Church, which runs
the school, said there was no need for all the panic.
He said: "Everything is now back to normal and I understand
lessons have resumed." But some of the teachers said it was
highly unlikely that lessons would continue as schools were
about to close soon anyway.
The mysterious incidents started about six weeks ago when
students complained of being harassed by "mysterious beings"
during the night, believed to be goblins, known in Shona as
zvikwambo, mubobobo or as tokoloshe in Zulu.
"About 30 students have been victims of the attacks and we
cant bear spending another night at this haunted place,"
said a student.
"A friend of mine was bitten on the arm after she wrestled
with a ghost which wanted to sleep with her," she said.
A number of female teachers are reportedly contemplating
leaving the school.
The teachers put some of their allegations in writing for
the benefit of reporters. They allege they are being
sexually abused by mysterious entities at night.
"Sometimes we get up in the morning to find the bedding
mysteriously wet and we suspect foul play," says the
statement.
One teacher said at the height of the incidents, many
students joined the schools Scripture Union (SU) group
where they held regular prayer meetings in the hope the evil
spirits would be exorcised.
The headmaster was allegedly annoyed with this development.
He is said to have acted against the SU.