WIZARDS SCARE AWAY NALOLO TEACHERS, THREATEN TO ABANDON WORK STATION

TEACHERS at Lwimba primary school in Nalolo District of Western Province have threatened to abandon the school for fear of alleged witchcraft practices.

The teachers have told the District Education Boards Secretary (DEBS) office that they will leave the school if suspected witchcraft activities continue to take place.

This came to light yesterday when Nalolo District Commissioner, Namatama Mupo and DEBS, Victor Likezo visited the school with other senior government officials to address the issue.

Suuya Imbuwa, a teacher at the school, complained of hearing male voices talking at night and during the day, adding that even food is being eaten by unknown people.

“I have been experiencing strange things in my house, the other time when I was home around 10:00 hours, when I was with my fellow teacher at home, we heard a male voice greeting us but we could not see anything, even food that we leave overnight is eaten by unknown people,” Ms Imbuwa complained.

Lwimba primary school headteacher, Felix Mwala disclosed that so far one teacher has left the school due to the alleged witchcraft activities.

Mr Mwala said the complaints of the teachers were reported to the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the office of the DEBS in order to find a solution to the problem. Another teacher, Kabeto Kashanga complained that their food is depleting fast despite most of them staying alone.

“You will find that a bag of 25 kg mealie meal finishes within three weeks as if we stay with many people,” Mr Kashanga said.

However, both the trict Commissioner,

DisMs

Mupo and DEBS, Mr Likezo advised the school management to meet with the community in order to find a lasting solution before all teachers leave the school.

“There is no investment that a parent can give to their children apart from educating them, so if all teachers leave it is the community that will lose out,” Ms Mupo said.

She said the solution to the alleged witchcraft activities can end if the community is engaged and sensitised on the importance of education.

Ms Mupo further encouraged the teachers to be prayerful at all times.

“Remember to involve God in everything that you do and pray all the time,” she said.

And Likezo said there is no proof of witchcraft so teachers should just address the issue with the community.

Mr. Likezo further advised the teachers to continue working hard despite the problems they are facing.