'Bewitched' school protest over

2004-08-26 21:45

Bismark Lubisi

Langeloop - Schooling has returned to normal at an Mpumalanga high school where pupils abandoned lessons to protest against suspected witchcraft at the school.

Pupils at Lovunywa High School in Langeloop south of Malelane boycotted classes on Monday and Tuesday and accused the acting principal of being involved in the witchcraft.

"We've lost two pupils since the beginning of the year while others fall ill at assembly without warning.

"Three have left the school because they believed a spell was cast on them," said chairperson of the learners representative committee, Bhekithemba Shabangu.

He said the pupils felt a boycott would be more effective than attempts at meetings.

"But there is a delegation that is now looking into the matter and we hope the matter will be resolved without any further marches," said Shabangu.

The pupils want the acting principal to be removed.

The acting principal, Albert Dlakude, did not go to the school on Monday or Tuesday, however.

School governing body spokesperson Jeffrey Makamo said a letter had been sent to local education circuit, listing the pupils' concerns and demands.

A former pupil, who is now the Nkomazi chairperson of the Congress of South African Students (Cosas) Baba Sibiya, has urged the pupils to work with the education department to resolve the matter.

"They cannot resolve issues by destroying school property or fighting teachers," he said.

"Things can be resolved easily by coming together at the table and discussing their issues."

Provincial education spokesperson Thomas Msiza warned pupils that would fall behind in their schoolwork if they boycotted classes.

Local police spokesperson Robert Sibiya also warned that it is a criminal offence to accuse someone of witchcraft.

- African Eye