School closes as teachers flee from goblins

TSHEBETSHEBE Primary School in Lupane district has reportedly been closed as teachers deserted the school after being tormented by goblins.

In an interview yesterday, a villager from the area who preferred anonymity said teachers disappeared from the school on Thursday.

The school has an enrolment of about 240 pupils while there are seven teachers including the head.

"There is chaos there. Goblins have been terrorising the teachers in the past weeks. The teachers could not bear it any longer and last week the whole staff left the school," said the villager.

"Female teachers were the most affected as they were sexually abused by the goblins. We have heard stories that the teachers would wake up in the morning only to discover that they were naked and their under garments would be hanging on the windows."

The villager said male teachers were not spared either.

"The male teachers were also affected as the goblins would take their food including mealie-meal and meat. As it is there is no one at the school.

"Last week the situation was worse because the goblins were threatening to beat up the teachers," he said.

The villager said the community had sought the help of spirit mediums and prophets to no avail.

Matabeleland North provincial education director Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni confirmed the development.

"We are still investigating the matter and will get more information from the district education officer. At the moment we do not know where the pupils and teachers are," said Mrs Mnguni.

"This is an issue that the community should handle because we cannot deal with it as a ministry. Teachers have the right to stay in a safe place and the community should address the problem first."