Scores of children enrolled at Gwake Primary School in Gwanda North are refusing to go to school for fear of an alleged goblin that bites them and sucks their blood.
The school is almost 30km from Gwanda town and it has an enrolment of just over 200 pupils.
Gwake School Development Committee (SDC) Chairman, Biafa Mathe, said the bizarre occurrences started three weeks ago.
He said some parents and guardians have since withdrawn their children from the school.
Two Nations reported sources as saying that on Thursday, pastors and traditional healers converged at the school for a cleansing ceremony.
The alleged goblin reportedly attacks girls and the victims become weak. According to villagers, this is an indication that blood was sucked out of their system.
Headman Mhlanga, born Bigboy Mhlanga, of Ward 6 in Gwake told Two Nations that the children said that they see a fiery old woman with sharp teeth dripping with blood.
The children reportedly said that when they see the “woman” they become weak and fall to the ground.
They also said the goblin sometimes carries a knife and first appears on the blackboard. Said Mhlanga:
I believe this goblin sucks blood from children as they become very weak after being attacked.
Girls are the main targets and they say this happens when they see this fiery granny with sharp teeth and she at times carries a knife.
Ntombizodwa Ndlovu said she received a call from school authorities informing her that her grandchild had collapsed at the school.
She said when she arrived at the school, her grandchild was covered with a blanket and was drooling and had turned pale.
Ndlovu said the girl only regained consciousness after about two hours after they had taken her to a traditional healer.
However, Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director (PED) Beatrice Manjere said she is not aware of the matter.