Madzibaba sets base at school
A SELF-STYLED prophet has opened a shrine at Nhwali High School in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South, where he is allegedly performing rituals at teachers’ cottages resulting in the educators threatening to down tools to force authorities to take action.
The prophet known as Madzibaba King is said to have visited the school in December last year where he was seen by one of the teachers who was on holiday duty preforming rituals at teachers’ residences. When Sunday News visited the school last week, some teachers said what was worrying was that the school authorities were failing to deal with the matter and they were now contemplating downing tools when schools open for the second term on Tuesday.
The teachers alleged that during the holiday in December last year, Madzibaba King took advantage of the absence of teachers at the school cottages and started performing “rituals” at their doorsteps.
However, unknown to the prophet on the said day, a teacher who was on holiday duty saw him and phoned other teachers notifying them about what he had witnessed. When schools opened in January, the teachers said they notified the School Development Committee about Madzibaba King but no action was taken.
“We received information from one of our colleagues, who had remained at the school during the school holiday in December, that Madzibaba King was seen burying unknown objects at each of the teachers’ cottages. When schools opened fearing for our lives we raised the issue with the headmaster who was reluctant to deal with it. We approached the SDC. The simple truth here is that as teachers we have queried a number of times the prophet’s actions,” said one of the teachers who requested anonymity.
She said the issue was raised at an annual general meeting earlier this year but was inconclusive as local leaders were divided over what course of action to take against the self-styled prophet. The teachers also said Madzibaba King of the Johane Masowe WeChishanu sect conducts church services and cleansing ceremonies within the school premises.
“We are no longer living comfortably at the school as it has also been turned into a so-called deliverance centre as many people come for cleansing ceremonies and church services at the cottages where he is accommodated by one of the staff members. The irony of this whole issue is that he is resisting eviction from the school arguing that he is not disturbing anyone but doing the work of God.”
When Sunday News visited the school cottage where the prophet resides to solicit his comment he was said to have gone out to conduct “deliverances” at the neighbouring Sitakeni Village.
SDC chairperson Mr Jabulani Dube confirmed the development that the teachers had threatened to leave the school if the prophet was still at the premises when school open for the second term.
“Yes, it’s true teachers expressed their fears and reservations over the issue arguing that they might not be able to return to the school if the prophet is around following the incident in which rituals were performed at their doorsteps. We suggested as a committee that he be accommodated by his congregants as his presence was making the teachers uncomfortable,” said Mr Dube.
It is said this is not the first time Madzibaba King has stayed at the school. He is said to have come to the school three years ago and stayed with one of the senior teachers. However, the previous SDC which was led by Mr Koroneli Maphala forced him out after teachers complained about him only to resurface in December.
The school head, a Mr A Tarupiwa declined to comment referring questions to the provincial office. Contacted for comment, Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director Mrs Tumisang Thabela said she was not aware of the incident but promised to investigate.
“I am not aware of that, I will check with the district,” she said.
The school has about 20 teachers and an enrolment of 350 pupils. A villager who requested anonymity said the prophet was also at loggerheads with some villagers.