TEACHERS and learners at Valaban College in Ward 16 in Chiwundura area are operating in fear of attacks by machete gangs, who invade the school going after female learners, school authorities have said.

In an interview, the institution’s director — Micah Chirau, said machete gangs were invading the school pursuing female students.

“They come here holding machetes going after female students to propose love to them. In fear of being attacked by machetes, the students agree to the proposal.

“So, when they date a girl from school, they will come everyday to take her during school time and go with her. The female students who turn down their proposals are victimised during classes. If teachers try to stop them, they are also terrorised with machetes,” he said.

College Principal Nomore Nhamoinesu said some teachers had resorted to leaving the school in fear of the machete violence.

“We have a number of female teachers who have since left the school following a spate of such incidents as they fear for their lives,” he said.

Nhamoinesu said the matter had been reported countless times to the police but nothing had been done to date.

“We reported all the incidents to the police but they haven’t done anything until now. They promised to come but up to now we haven’t seen them. We are therefore appealing to the Government and responsible authorities to make sure that this issue is dealt with,” he said.

He also said the school was concerned with the welfare of learners, as they were also targeted.

Nhamoinesu appealed to the Zimbabwe Republic Police and relevant authorities to intervene in the matter.

The school learners expressed their worry over the matter saying it was disturbing their learning.

“We are very scared to even go to school because we have witnessed some learners being tortured by these criminals. The school environment is no longer safe for us,” said one learner.