Goblins saga, girl dies under 'mysterious' circumstances

A Grade Seven pupil has died under "mysterious" circumstances at Nhlupho Primary School in Kezi District, where a recent goblin exorcism ceremony resulted in the village head committing suicide.

The death, which occurred on Wednesday, has divided villagers with some saying the goblins that were allegedly removed from village head Moffat Ncube's home were responsible for the death.

Eighty-one-year-old Ncube allegedly committed suicide on 19 May after goblin hunters said he was responsible for supernatural creatures that were reportedly sexually abusing teachers at Nhlupho Primary and Secondary schools.

A villager who asked not to be named said the girl fell ill on Sunday last week, saying something was eating into her left thigh, and died on Wednesday.

"She was perfectly healthy and only had a boil on her right leg. However, on Sunday she started screaming saying something was burrowing into her left thigh and causing unbearable pain. We think it is those goblins because no one could see anything," said the villager.

A teacher at Nhlupho said villagers believed that the goblins were now feeding on human flesh because their owner was no longer around to give them food.

Another villager said the goblins issue was causing people in the village to distrust each other.

"Everyone was moved by this girl's death because it is painful to lose a child under such strange circumstances.

"However, I think authorities should come in before this goblin matter gets out of hand. This area has no chief to solve such disputes and if this finger-pointing is allowed to continue, it could result in bloodshed," said the villager.

Ncube's daughter, Ms Rita Ncube (35), said people who claimed goblins from her father's homestead killed the girl were being mischievous.

"If there were ever any goblins at our homestead, those tsikamutandas from Binga removed them. Whoever said there are goblins here has a personal score to settle. It is all lies and as a family, we are not happy about it," said Ms Ncube.

Contacted for comment, Chief Nyangazonke Ndiweni, who has jurisdiction over neighbouring villages, said the goblin exorcism ceremony was illegal to begin with.

"I do not know how these people secured the services of witch hunters because only a chief can authorise such an action. Without a chief's consent or supervision, such actions are illegal," said Chief Ndiweni.

He said he would liaise with other traditional leaders in the district to come up with a way to put the matter to rest.

"Emotions usually fly where a human life has been lost. It is up to traditional leaders to rein in superstitions to avoid unnecessary confrontations. We will sit down with other chiefs to discuss a speedy solution to the problem," he said.

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