News / National
Chaos as Matopo High School pupil buys a 'laughing' ring in Botswana
22 Mar 2012 at 13:53hrs | Views
In an incident that could easily pass for a scene in one of Stephen King's horror movies, two pupils at Matopo High School were found in possession of jewellery which reportedly "laughed" and caused hysteria when removed. The jewellery comprises of a ring and a necklace.
According to a source, one of the pupils (name withheld) bought the ring in Botswana during a visit to that country in December. While the necklace was bought in Bulawayo at a flea market situated neai Basch Street Bus Terminus, popularly known as Egodini. With the prospect of looking blinged up at school in the horizon, the two did not hesitate to take the jewellery to show off to their classmates.
A few weeks into the new school term, the bling expedition turned awry for the two pupils as they started becoming hysterical after they were asked not to put on the jewellery as per school regulations. It is understood that some time in February, a teacher asked one of the pupils to remove the ring and after doing so the ring started "laughing" resulting in the girl experiencing hysteria.
"During the seizure, she claimed that the ring was laughing at her. People did not believe her at first which prompted the teacher to call the school authorities," said the source.
The Brethen in Christ Church run school deputy headmistress, a Ms Ncube, a pastor and some teachers then prayed for the girl. During the prayer session, the ring reportedly laughed again. Noticing that their efforts were headed nowhere they took the ring and burnt it. A few days later one of the girls complained that she could not sleep without the necklace and also experienced hysteria when it was removed. This culminated in her parents being summoned to school.
"The school authorities and the girl's parents agreed that she needed some time off and as such they took her with them," said the source.
With the school authorities fearing widespread hysteria, a parents meeting was called on 25 February at BICC head quarters situated along Masotsha Ndlovu Avenue and Connaught Street in Bulawayo where the issue was topical. Among the meeting's resolutions was that no pupils will be allowed to bring any kind of jewellery to school.
An official at the school who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the two incidents saying no punitive measures were taken against the pupils as they claimed that they bought the jewellery 'innocently'.
According to a source, one of the pupils (name withheld) bought the ring in Botswana during a visit to that country in December. While the necklace was bought in Bulawayo at a flea market situated neai Basch Street Bus Terminus, popularly known as Egodini. With the prospect of looking blinged up at school in the horizon, the two did not hesitate to take the jewellery to show off to their classmates.
A few weeks into the new school term, the bling expedition turned awry for the two pupils as they started becoming hysterical after they were asked not to put on the jewellery as per school regulations. It is understood that some time in February, a teacher asked one of the pupils to remove the ring and after doing so the ring started "laughing" resulting in the girl experiencing hysteria.
"During the seizure, she claimed that the ring was laughing at her. People did not believe her at first which prompted the teacher to call the school authorities," said the source.
The Brethen in Christ Church run school deputy headmistress, a Ms Ncube, a pastor and some teachers then prayed for the girl. During the prayer session, the ring reportedly laughed again. Noticing that their efforts were headed nowhere they took the ring and burnt it. A few days later one of the girls complained that she could not sleep without the necklace and also experienced hysteria when it was removed. This culminated in her parents being summoned to school.
"The school authorities and the girl's parents agreed that she needed some time off and as such they took her with them," said the source.
With the school authorities fearing widespread hysteria, a parents meeting was called on 25 February at BICC head quarters situated along Masotsha Ndlovu Avenue and Connaught Street in Bulawayo where the issue was topical. Among the meeting's resolutions was that no pupils will be allowed to bring any kind of jewellery to school.
An official at the school who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the two incidents saying no punitive measures were taken against the pupils as they claimed that they bought the jewellery 'innocently'.
Source - metro
