It seems that teachers at the Nashongo and Makaba primary schools in Siavonga, Zambia have threatened to abandon their posts after a rash of indecent incidents involving invisible witches.
According to Chief Sinadambwe of the Tonga-speaking people, the saucy sorcerers have been projecting their spirits into the teachers' bedrooms and molesting them. And they don’t even have the decency to call in the morning. ...Chief Sinadambwe told the Zambia Daily Mail:
‘The male teachers complained that they have been having sex with women they cannot see. This has been happening to them for about three weeks.’
...Chief Sinadambwe says that similar incidents have been happening to the women, one of whom claims that she went to sleep and when she woke up found herself naked with her nightgown on the floor. Her husband “expressed ignorance” and the only conclusion that could possibly be drawn was that she was the victim of some esoteric tomfoolery. But the Chief says not to panic – he’s urged everyone to stay calm and “called on Government to help resolve the matter.”
...Alas, it seems that randy psychic witches are still regarded as quite common in modern Zambia. Back in May, the Mbala District Commissioner also felt compelled to ask local “wizards” to stop molesting teachers and pupils at Chipoka Primary School – the second of such incidents in nine years.
A TRADITIONAL leader says he has temporarily shelved plans to conduct a witch hunt to solve the mystery of a whole village of women who woke up without their knickers.
Chief Njelele of Gokwe abandoned the plan after one of his aides was involved in a bizarre mishap – spreading a fresh wave of terror in the troubled community.
Local headman Pauro had gathered villagers to discuss plans to bring a “prophet” to smoke out the suspected wizard who nicked the panties when a huge owl swooped just feet away and grabbed a mature male dog with its claws before disappearing in the distance.
Owls are associated with witchcraft and evil in superstitious Africa.
Chief Njelele said he feared whoever was behind the mysterious disappearance of the 26 undergarments – which were later found in a heap in the woods – was sending a warning.
“I had tasked the two village heads, Pauro and Charuseka, to meet their subjects with the aim of inviting a traditional healer to cleanse their areas,” the chief said.
“I then saw village head Pauro coming to my homestead with more strange news that a huge owl came flying from nowhere before picking up a male dog at his homestead and flew away while they were at a meeting.
“It’s mind boggling what is going on in the area.”
Now Chief Njelele says he is gathering a panel of wise men including other traditional leaders from neighbouring communities to try and bring peace to his troubled community.
Chiefs Nemangwe and Chireya will arrive for consultations this week.
According to Chief Njelele, on July 11 “the majority of women” in two local communities under village heads Pauro and Chariseka went to sleep with their panties on – but mysteriously woke up in the nude.
Seventeen women later positively identified their underwear in the presence of the police.
The chief explained: “Some have burnt the recovered panties while others said they would perform some rituals before disposing them.
“I am keeping the remaining nine at my own risk because as the leader, there is nothing I can do.”
Chief Njelele said he had received calls from women’s campaign groups who were planning a visit to the area, with plans to provide counseling and other support to the affected women.
Gokwe police said following discussions with the local leaders, they had decided to leave the community to find a traditional solution to the problem.