The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube Post Correspondent
LARGER-than-life occurrences are happening at Nyakatsapa High School near Watsomba Business Centre, as mysterious sounds of people walking and marching are being heard in the girls’ dormitories during the night.
Students and villagers from the surrounding community were in a panic mode when our news crew visited the school on Wednesday afternoon and challenged the school authorities to act fast before it gets worse. Students interviewed claimed that at one time the strange people whose footsteps (marching like soldiers) are heard by almost everyone destroyed windowpanes.
Other students alleged that the strange person whose footsteps could be heard during the night could be the ghost of the school’s late deputy school head, Mr Manners Bhowa (49), who was murdered at the United Methodist Church-run institution by his wife, Pamela Phiri-Bhowa. According to the pupils, Mr Bhowa – when alive – would occasionally visit the girls’ dormitories when it was still under construction for inspection.
“The way that person walks is exactly the way the late Mr Bhowa used to. The person drags his feet and walks slowly exactly the way he used to. He was so fond of this building especially when it was under construction,” said a Lower Sixth pupil who was a junior student by then.
Some pupils pleaded with our news crew to “assist” them in any way they could since the situation was getting worse by each passing day.
“We are really worried. We are scared. We usually hear sounds during the middle of the night and when we wake up to see who will be walking, no-one will be in sight.
Sometimes the person will be marching. We told our matron and we believe she told the school headmistress, but nothing has been done about it. Can you please help us? We are living in fear,” said another student.
Villagers who requested anonymity said they were worried that the school authorities were doing nothing about it.
“The students are now living in fear of these strange happenings. They say it happens occasionally during the night. We wonder why the school authorities are doing nothing about it. Something must be done before something worse happens,” said a villager.
The school head, Mrs Annie Padhuze, refused to entertain our news crew, referring all questions to Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Edward Shumba.
“Who told you about that? What are people saying? I don’t have anything to say. I can’t comment,” she said.
When approached for a comment, Mr Shumba said he was yet to be appraised with full information concerning the matter.
“I asked the Mutasa District Schools Inspector (Mrs Mlambo) about the issue, but she seems unaware of it. She, however, promised to get back to me. I hope to get finer details on Thursday (yesterday). We must do a follow-up on the matter,” said Mr Shumba.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, said they would urgently look into the matter.
“If the students are saying they are hearing sounds of people walking or marching, then who are we to deny it? We will soon look into the matter after the 21st Movement Celebrations. We will engage the Fallen Heroes’ Trust of Zimbabwe to work on the situation and put to bed the challenges haunting the students,” said Cde Chimene.
