Armed Amakorokoza Invade Bambanani School, Teachers Flee and Learners Sent Home

LOWER GWERU — In a brazen daylight attack, panic gripped Bambanani Primary School when seven armed amakorokoza stormed the premises searching for a teacher and threatening violence.

The gang’s actions forced staff into hiding, disrupted learning, and prompted the school’s temporary closure.

The group, believed to be illegal gold miners from nearby areas, arrived wielding machetes, knives and clubs.

Their target was reportedly a male teacher from a neighbouring secondary school, but their aggressive behaviour sent shockwaves through the primary school community.

A source close to the incident confirmed the chaos, stating:

“The men arrived at the school looking for one of the teachers from the secondary school.

“They were armed with weapons, threatening to beat up the teachers if they did not reveal the whereabouts of the male teacher. This forced most of the staff to go into hiding in fear for their lives.

“Other teachers managed to escape while the rest locked themselves in their houses. Some of the staff have not returned to the school since then out of fear, because this area is known for these kinds of violent incidents.”

With no teachers available to supervise pupils, children were sent home over the following two days.

The disruption raised serious concerns among parents, who fear for the safety of their children in areas affected by illegal mining violence.

According to thesunnews.com, the situation began to stabilise after Ward 19 Councillor Nkosana Sibanda intervened.

He met with parents and teachers, assuring them that their safety would be guaranteed and that steps were being taken to restore normality.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has been engaged and is expected to visit the school in the coming days to hold discussions with local leaders and assess the security situation.

Efforts to reach the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education were unsuccessful, as Gweru District Schools Inspector Trynos Mahlokozera’s phone remained unreachable.

Local authorities have been alerted, and community leaders are calling for urgent action to protect pupils and prevent further disruptions.

As investigations continue, stakeholders are urging stronger enforcement against illegal mining activities near schools and other public institutions.