Terrence Mawawa Chivhu
A local teacher has been sent on compassionate leave after cases of suspected witchcraft rocked Nyazvidzi Secondary School in Chikomba District.
The Witchcraft Suppression Act, has been amended and  was used fairly frequently, in the past, but prosecuting someone under the new legislation may prove difficult.
The new Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act for instance demands proof that a person has supernatural powers and that they are using them to harm others.
In a rare case of suspected witchcraft the teacher, Stella Ndachenedzwa was sent on compassionate leave after local parents petitioned the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to act on the matter.
It is also alleged Ndachenedzwa, who is an Agriculture teacher, was transferred from two different schools last year. There was pandemonium at the school as parents sang and danced, calling for Ndachenedzwa’s transfer.
The teacher has been accused of practising  witchcraft at the school. The parents accused her of initiating mysterious hallucinations among children. Chikomba District Education Officer Ngoni Mujuru confirmed the development and said the matter would be forwarded to the Provincial Education Director. “She is on compassionate leave following a petition from local parents. The matter has not yet been resolved since we have to inform the PED’s office,”said Mujuru. The school head Augustine Chipenzi was not readily available for a comment. A local parent said:”We do not understand what is happening at the school.The teacher has been transferred from two different schools over witchcraft allegations so we no longer feel comfortable with her presence at the school.”