Kunene education directorate to investigate witchcraft allegations
OPUWO – The Kunene education directorate has announced it will probe recent reports of parents removing their children from Otjikondavirongo Primary School in large numbers.
More than 90% of parents have removed their children from the school since last week.
A source on the school board confirmed the removal of the learners from school on Thursday and said it follows allegations of “witchcraft and satanism” against a hostel matron.
A number of hostel learners started suffering from ailments, which parents alleged are associated with witchcraft.
“It is also alleged that some learners don’t sleep at night; they apparently see apparitions,” the source said, adding that the matter is “receiving the utmost attention.”
“We engaged all the necessary authorities: from the education director to the inspector, and we communicated with parents.
All we can say for now is that the accused person has been temporarily excused until we get tangible results in dealing with the issue in question,” noted the source.
Kunene education director Angelina Jantze told Nampa in an interview that Epupa circuit inspector Josua Shikongo will be sent to the school next week to assess the situation on the ground and meet up with the school board members and school staff.
“I was alerted about the situation at Otjikondavirongo Primary School but as I said, we will investigate. The inspector will have to meet up with the principal and school board members,” she said.
Otjikondavirongo Primary School is located almost 200 kilometres west of Opuwo, with more than 300 learners from preprimary to Grade 7 level.
There are 11 teachers at the school.