Goblins that harassed polling officers

POLLING officers deployed at Setshanke High School in Ward 3, Nkayi North constituency, were subjected to a night of harassment and intimidation by goblins believed to be resident at the school which were knocking on the classrooms they were sleeping in and making a lot of noise.

Police officers and polling agents at the school confirmed the harassment to Sunday News last Wednesday.

The polling officers said the incident occurred on 25 July, the first day of their deployment at the polling station. They said they were disturbed by the mysterious noises and knocks on the door of the classrooms that they were sleeping in but could not see anything when they opened the door.

"The incident occurred deep in the night when we were all sleeping. We were awakened by some squealing noises that resembled that of toddlers playing. We woke each other up and we listened to the noise but could not understand what was happening. We decided to go out to investigate but when we opened the door there was no sound - only the deep quietness of the night.

"We went back and for a moment there was stillness before the noise started again. This time it was continuous laughing and talking and the words were like those of a child learning to talk. No one could understand what was being said. We then became convinced that these were not normal children," said a police officer who was part of the polling officers at the school.

He said they could not sleep for fear of being attacked by the goblins.

One of the polling agents, Mr Minister Khumalo, confirmed the mysterious happening. He said although it was his first time to sleep at the school, reports were that the goblins were in the habit of terrorising students, especially girls.

"When I first heard the noise I thought I was dreaming but I later realised I was not - the sounds were indeed real. From the time I woke up I never slept. We sat and started talking while the sounds were ongoing. We were all afraid of opening the door, let alone go out to investigate," said Mr Khumalo.

He said they reported the incident the following day to the village head Mr Elkana Mudumani and the headman, a Mr Khumalo, adding that since the day they reported they did not experience any problems at the school until they left.

Efforts to get a comment from the headman were fruitless, although the village head confirmed receiving reports of the harassment of polling officers by suspected goblins at the school.