Govt to deploy psychologists to investigate satanism at primary school

State media reports that GOVERNMENT will deploy psychologists to Yamuranayi Primary School in Mufakose, Harare, to investigate hysteria-linked problems affecting pupils.

There was chaos at the school on Monday after some pupils were hit by hysteria allegedly linked to Satanism.

Some parents and guardians withdrew their children from the school, fearing they would also be affected.

Harare provincial education director Mr Calvin Mazula yesterday said psychologists will visit the school to "look into the issue".

"Government, through the ministry, has instructed that a team of psychologists visit the school for us to have a clear picture of what is happening," he said.

"These are the only people who can give professional advice hence our decision to send them. The team would visit the school either today (yesterday) or tomorrow (today). This is an urgent matter and they (psychologists) have to go immediately and we will update you on the developments," he said.

Mr Mazula said normalcy had since returned to the school and lessons were progressing well.

"The issue was over-dramatised. However, I can confirm that after police controlled the situation, lessons are going on well and there are no reports of further disturbances," he said.

Commenting on the suspended pupil, Mr Mazula said: "It's the parent who decided to have her child have a rest not that the school suspended anyone.

"Anything that happens to him has no relevance to the school."

When The Herald visited the school yesterday, lessons were underway.

"Some parents are still with their kids at home in fear of the unknown but for others lessons are going on well without any hindrances," said a teacher who declined to be named.

Zimbabwe Traditional Medical Practitioners' Association president Mr Friday Chisanyu yesterday said traditional healers could cleanse the school.

"Satanism falls under witchcraft and it is traditional leaders that can satisfactorily end their problem.

"This is a cultural problem which needs a cultural solution. Churches might go there and pray, but they don't have the power to destroy the evil spirits."

However, a prophet with the Johanne Masowe WeChishanu said there was need for strong prayers at the school.

"These things happen and at schools it's usually teachers who are the main suspects," he said on condition of anonymity.

"Schools should allow churches to use their premises for prayers frequently. This helps in the exorcism of such strange happenings at schools because of the power of prayer."

More than three pupils fell into a trance on Monday, exhibiting extraordinary strength while speaking in unusual voices and tongues.

Some of the affected pupils were reportedly bleeding through their noses.

Since last Thursday, over 30 pupils have reportedly been affected by the hysteria.

The strange occurrences were affecting mostly Grade One and Two pupils.

The pupils, it is alleged were being whisked away to a house in Budiriro in a tinted private vehicle by an unidentified woman.

The woman is alleged to be giving the pupils food and concoctions.

Some of the affected pupils narrated how they were taken to a Budiriro house to "shape and review" operations.

Parents who stormed the school were demanding the closure of the school.

Several boarding schools have been affected by bouts of mass hysteria, including Moleli High School and Sanyati Baptist High School.