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A family turned up at their local nick in the town of Bulawayo with a suitcase a recent tenant had left behind.

The case was opened and, well, all hell broke loose.

According to Bulawayo 24 News, a goblin-like creature leapt out, causing mayhem.

Police officers dumb-struck by what they were seeing fled - some literally jumping out of windows such was the panic.

The goblin - we'll call it that because the police report said so - apparently climbed out of a blood-filled bottle.

Witnesses in the southern African state said it smelt awful and ran amok charging at cops until a local "healer" was brought in to catch it.

One unnamed cop told the news channel: "We heard some screaming from the charge office and most officers who had knocked off rushed to see what was happening.

"At first everyone gathered around the suitcase, wanting to see what was inside.

"No-one told anyone it was time to run.

"One minute, the charge office was full, the next, it was empty.

"I think some people went out through the windows because we could not all have fitted through the door.

"Fat cops and slim cops all ran for their lives screaming."

The family handing in the case said it had been left behind by a recent tenant who had stayed at their house.

Witnesses at Tshabalala Police Station gave varying descriptions of the bizarre encounter.

Some said the creature looked like a snake with the head of a dog, while others said it looked like a dog with scales.

The healer brought in to deal with it is said to have over-powered the critter and burned it.

We will endeavour to bring you more on this.