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Fairness Moyana Chronicle Correspondent
SUSPECTED goblins have struck Ndangababi Primary School in Cross Dete again with teachers now living in fear following a series of mysterious incidents.Barely a year after a purported cleansing ceremony was conducted at the school after it had been temporarily closed, teachers yesterday said the “tormenting creatures” had resurfaced.

The school has 16 teachers and 674 pupils.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, some teachers said they have started experiencing strange sounds and movement of furniture with food and money disappearing mysteriously.

“We’re living in fear again and since last week most teachers woke up at night seeing chairs moving with strange noises on the roof while others found their food and money missing,” said one of the teachers.

The teachers said the goblins were now attacking all teachers unlike last year when they only tormented female teachers.

On Monday lessons at the school were stopped as teachers thronged the headmistress’ office seeking protection.

“We couldn’t work because of what is happening and we went to the head’s office to try and push the authorities to act since this is our life we are talking about,” said another teacher.

“Sadly children were writing their mid-term examinations and the progress has been affected by these things.”

Hwange district education officer, Lovemore Ncube confirmed the reports but could not be drawn to give details referring questions to Matabeleland North Provincial Education Director, Boithatelo Mnguni.

Mnguni acknowledged the report saying she was distressed by the issue.

She feared operations at the school were likely to be suspended if the situation continues.

“I haven’t been to Hwange to assess the situation, however, the DEO briefed me on the matter,” said Mnguni.

She said her office was closely monitoring developments at Ndangababi while urging the community to deal with the issue to avoid
closure of the school.

“I call on the parents to deal with this issue swiftly as delay would force us to withdraw the staff at the school in order to protect them,” said Mnguni.

“I understand the cleansing process will begin this week since an inyanga has been found from the neighbouring village so we will wait and see what happens tomorrow. If the situation has not changed the school might be closed.”

The school made headlines last year when the goblins terrorized teachers with noises on the roof, movements of chairs and blowing out of candles before attacking the headmistress leaving her unconscious.

Some teachers were forced to sleep in groups at a nearby Dampa Secondary School while their male counterparts who had remained at the cottages resorted to drinking themselves into a stupor to brave the night.

A traditional healer from Binga was called in to cleanse the place before peace and sanity returned to the school.