Hotsprings ‘satanist’ teachers exonerated

TWO Hotsprings Secondary School teachers who were accused of initiating school children into ‘satanism’ were exonerated by a Chimanimani traditional healer.

However, this did not cool down tempers of the children’s parents who are still convinced that the two teachers (names withheld) were responsible for their children’s mysterious behaviour which they associated with satanism.

The traditional healer, David Mhlanga (Sekuru Changa), who was seconded by Acting Chief Mutambara to deal with the matter, managed to assist at least seven of the eight girls who were manifesting, and accusing the teachers of satanism.

A total of 23 learners were allegedly initiated into ‘satanism’, but only eight were manifesting, according to Acting Chief Mutambara in an interview this week.

“Sekuru Changa exonerated the two fingered teachers. He told the families of the affected girls that the manifestations were being caused by an elderly woman in the area. He said the girls were being initiated into witchcraft, and not satanism as had been previously alleged. Sekuru

Changa also said he would only name and shame the elderly woman if the Hotsprings community calls him for a public gathering. We are yet to get feedback because the community is still to call him,” said Acting Chief Mutambara.

He said despite the exoneration, he had instructed the parents of the affected children to consult other traditional healers to verify Sekuru Changa’s findings.

Acting Chief Mutambara said the matter is set to re-appear before his court tomorrow (Saturday).

“Last week, the seven girls were fine, and only one girl is still to fully recover. I had to drive to pick up the girls and their parents from the school where they had camped and were refusing to leave. However, I will ensure that the girl gets the necessary assistance. The person behind the girls’ suffering should be brought to book because we cannot have our children missing school because of the acts of an evil person,” said Acting Chief Mutambara.

The girls missed school for a week. Learning was disrupted at the school for a couple of days a fortnight ago after angry parents besieged the institution, baying for the two teachers’ blood.

This was after at least eight children allegedly manifested, and accused the two teachers of initiating them into satanism.

Police were deployed to the school as irate parents protested and shouted profanities at the two teachers, whom they alleged had initiated more than 23 learners into satanism.

The coming in of the police and a warning that the parents had to either leave the school premises or face arrest, did not deter them from picketing as they ended up surrounding the police truck, demanding their arrests.

The chaos briefly stopped after Acting Chief Mutambara and his aides arrived and offered help to the children who were experiencing unexplained phenomena and appearing as if they were possessed by some unknown spirits.

In an interview, a parent, Netsai Kudana of Nemutenzi Village, insisted that the two teachers implicated in the satanism storm were behind the strange and frightening incidents.

“Yes, Sekuru Changa exonerated the two teachers, but as parents and guardians, we want to consult more traditional healers to verify his findings. We are convinced that these teachers are behind all this,” said the woman.

She said her brother’s 15-year-old daughter and four other girls usually manifest at one of the teachers’ house.

“My niece struggled to walk after she manifested, and slithered like a snake. It started when we heard that her classmate was manifesting at the school’s staff quarters. The classmate stated that my niece was part of the group that was initiated into satanism by their teacher. People gathered to witness the drama. At least four girls were writhing on the ground, manifesting and speaking gibberish. My niece fell to the ground and slithered like a snake,” she said.

Another parent, Maxwell Macheza, whose daughter was also manifesting, said they are prepared to consult at least two more traditional healers as had been instructed by Acting Chief Mutambara.

In an interview then, Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Edward Shumba confirmed the satanism claims at the school.

He, however, said finding a lasting solution to the issue was beyond their jurisdiction as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.