School closes down as pupils start seeing visions of the headmaster holding a bottle full of blood

Neshaya Secondary School in Hwange was last week forced to close after pupils boycotted classes following a series of strange occurrences that saw female pupils reportedly becoming entranced and seeing visions of the headmaster holding a bottle filled with blood.

A meeting of parents, school authorities and the School Development Association (SDA) aimed at addressing the matter ended abruptly last Thursday after four more girls and a teacher fainted, prompting parents to withdraw their children.

All students boycotted lessons on the following day. Village heads in the area have now organised a cleansing ceremony.

A district education officer confirmed the incident, but, would not be drawn into giving further details, saying they were still waiting for the school head to submit a formal report.

Matabeleland North provincial education director Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni also confirmed receiving such a report.

"We received a report that students at Neshaya Secondary School were mysteriously fainting," said Mrs Mnguni.

"I am, however, not aware that the students did not attend lessons today (Friday). I have instructed the DEO to monitor the situation and ensure lessons are not disrupted.

"I also understand a date for a cleansing ceremony will be set. We are going to make sure the ceremony is not held during the week as we do not want school activities to be disrupted."

A parent told our Bulawayo Bureau that the SDA called the Thursday meeting to discuss the mysterious occurrences at the school.

The parent said the number of girls who were reported to have fallen into a trance has increased since the beginning of the school term.

"The girls who were interviewed by SDA members and the village head on Tuesday all said they first saw the image of the headmaster wearing a black garment and holding a half full bottle of blood pleading for more blood from them.

"During the meeting on Thursday, four girls fainted and parents immediately withdrew their children from the classrooms and threatened to beat the headmaster.

"The girls were taken to a nearby clinic to ascertain if they had any symptoms of malaria but all had a clean bill of health."

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