Goblin tormented teachers return

TEACHERS from Ndangababi Primary School in Dete who recently deserted the school after being tormented by goblins have returned to the school.

The 16 teachers fled from the school two weeks ago and left about 600 pupils stranded.

In an interview yesterday, Matabeleland North provincial education director Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni said the teachers returned to the school on Monday.

This was after the Government gave the community up to Friday last week to address the issue or risk having the school closed.

"The teachers returned to work on Monday although the problem is still on. Female teachers are sleeping at Dampa Secondary School while male teachers resolved to go back to the school and are staying in one room because of fear," said Mrs Mnguni.

"We have not been given a full report but we hope the situation is nomalising. We understand the community engaged a sangoma who told them that the goblin was not in the school but in the community.

"The teachers have said they are prepared to resume work. It seems the problem is at night because during the day they say there is no problem."

The incident of goblins at Ndangababi Primary generated a lot of interest amid concerns that it was disturbing the learning process at a time when pupils were expected to write their end-of-year examinations.

The goblins were reportedly beating up teachers and in some instances twisting their necks and switching off lights at night.

Pupils were not spared either as they were also beaten by the strange creatures with some reportedly said to have been hospitalised after passing bloody urine because of the beatings.