Panic befell students at St Theresia Junior Secondary School hostel at Tses after 20 pupils on Sunday afternoon suffered from epileptic type of attacks, triggering fears of demons.

A relative of one of the affected girls said that those who were attacked ran around wildly and shouting: "The girl will not write the examination. I will keep her busy until 24h00. The woman is coming."

According to the relative, the girls were withdrawn from the hostel by their parents.

The Karas education regional director, Awebahe Hoeseb, yesterday confirmed the alleged demonic attacks at the hostel.

"It's very strange that this alleged demons are aware of our examination timetable. They only surface when pupils are preparing for the exams," said Hoeseb, describing the strange behaviour of the affected pupils as "examination phobia".

"It seems it's rather a figment of the learners' imagination," Hoeseb added.

Hoeseb said the school's principal has requested local spiritual leaders to perform a cleansing ceremony at the school hostel.

"We hope they will heed the call to see that it is indeed demonic attacks and pray to rescue the affected pupils," Hoeseb further said.

Hoeseb also seized the opportunity to urge learners to prepare themselves for examinations to avoid panic attacks.

"Pupils must devote themselves to quality, quantity methods and competencies to progress to the next grade," Hoeseb advised.

Recently girls at the JA Nel and Suiderlig high schools in Keetmanshoop also collapsed.

According to Hoeseb the girls are now fine after they received counselling.