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Richard Muponde, Plumtree Correspondent
THE situation at Vulindlela Clinic, once closed two years ago over reports of goblin sexual attacks on nurses and patients, has returned to normal with the nursing staff moving back into the residential quarters.

Following the reported goblin attacks, nurses and patients once deserted the health institution in Bulilima East in July 2016 and some equipment was removed while nurses sought alternative accommodation outside the premises.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care officials then shut down the clinic for a week and upon re-opening, nurses did not return to the residential quarters.

The legislator for the area, Cde Lungisani Nhleya, volunteered to ferry the nursing staff everyday from Dombodema Mission where they had been accommodated to the clinic which are 7 kilometres apart.

Cde Nhleya yesterday said the nurses were back at the clinic and living in the residential quarters.

“The situation is now normal. The nurses are now back at the clinic and living in their previous houses which they had deserted following reports of goblins having sex with them. They deserted their quarters and sought refuge at Dombodema Mission where I was ferrying them to and from the clinic every day,” said Cde Nhleya.

He said traditional leaders working together with the villagers conducted a traditional cleansing ceremony which stopped the harassment of nurses and patients.

“Since the conducting of the cleansing ceremony everything came back to normal. The clinic is now working well and even having a nurse on standby during the night. This was no longer happening as nurses were now working during the day only. All is well now,” he said.

Back in 2016, a decision to re-open the clinic after a one week closure was reached at a meeting between traditional leaders from the area and Bulilima District Administrator, Mrs Ethel Moyo as well as Plumtree District Medical Officer, Dr Langalokusa Sibanda.

Former Matabeleland South Provincial Medical Director, Dr Brian Maponga, consented to the re-opening of the clinic.

Traditional leaders had pleaded with the health officials to reconsider the move to close the clinic, opened in 1988, as it played a crucial role in saving people’s lives.

The goblins reportedly sexually abused nurses and patients and also vandalised property at the clinic. The problem is said to have persisted for four months before the closure of the clinic. — @richardmuponde