Satanism scare, villagers bay for female teacher's blood

SCORES of parents and other villagers disrupted lessons at Musau Primary School in Mudzi district in Mashonaland East province yesterday, demanding to assault a female teacher who allegedly drew blood from 12 Grade One pupils for unknown purposes.

The parents and villagers, who numbered more than 100, thronged the school around 10am demanding answers as to why the teacher had conducted such a heinous act.

They came from villages such as Mutinha, Nemusana, Chibedura, Maruza, Chamburuka and Chingana and held the demonstration.

Police officers from Mudzi visited the school yesterday where they recorded statements from the affected children who were later taken to Kotwa District Hospital for medical examination.

A senior police officer who preferred anonymity said the teacher was assisting them with investigations.

"The lady is helping us with the investigations and we will proceed with some action after we finish the investigations," he said.

Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Bulisani Bhebhe confirmed receiving the report.

Efforts to locate the teacher who was said to be staying at Kotwa Growth Point were fruitless as no one knew of her whereabouts.

According to villagers, the teacher, who only came to the school last week allegedly drew blood from the 12 pupils from their fingers using a syringe and put it in a small bottle.

The matter came to light after one of the victims revealed the case to parents.

Musau school headmaster Mr Sipelile Mutemeri said they were awaiting police findings.

"There are allegations that the teacher drew blood from some pupils and police are carrying out investigations," he said.

"As you are aware, I am not allowed to speak to the Press, I will refer you to my superior at the district education offices."

Mudzi district education officer who only identified himself as Mr Chimbwanda said they were aware of the incident.

"I am not on the ground, I am still to be informed on the circumstances," he said.

"But the children are still to be examined by a medical doctor to establish if the case is true or false."

When The Herald visited the school which is about 25km from Kotwa Growth Point, a police officer was taking statements from the 12 pupils who looked visibly shocked by the incident.

The parents gathered inside the school yard intending to assault the teacher.

"We want justice to prevail," demanded one  of the angry parents. "Police have to ascertain why she was drawing the blood and if she did not contaminate these children with a disease. We want answers."

Another parent said they were not happy with how police were handling the case.

"We are not happy because we understand that this woman is free as we speak," she said.

"She is at her house in Kotwa. We want police to arrest her and expeditiously deal with this matter while the evidence is still fresh."

Other parents said they suspected that the teacher was drawing blood with the purpose of selling it.

"We strongly suspect that she was selling the blood, what else could she want it for?" asked another parent.

The parents had to be calmed down by the councillor for Mudzi's Ward 17 Kennedy Makarutse who assured them that the law would take its course.

"We have been informed by the headmaster about this unusual case that has occurred in our community, but my appeal is that let's be responsible and be patient as police conduct their investigations," he said.

Makarutse informed the parents and other villagers that the children would be taken for medical examinations at Kotwa District Hospital.

The teacher is said to be denying the accusations.