A male teacher at Milton High School in Bulawayo has been arrested and suspended amid allegations of inappropriate conduct with students at the all-boys institution.
Tyson Lunga, who teaches Advanced Level commercials, is also a pastor at one of the country’s largest Pentecostal churches and has volunteered with the Scripture Union, serving as a patron for various clubs in schools.
Taungana Ndoro, spokesperson for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, confirmed the situation, adding that the ministry acted swiftly to suspend Lunga from duty as soon as the allegations were brought to their attention. Said Ndoro:
We are aware of the extremely serious allegations made against a teacher at Milton High School in Bulawayo. We wish to state unequivocally that we are taking this matter with the utmost gravity. The allegations reported are deeply concerning and completely unacceptable.
We can confirm that this morning (Saturday), the individual was arrested by the ZRP to assist with their ongoing investigation. We are co-operating fully with the authorities in their pursuit of justice.
During this difficult time, we appeal to the school community, learners, parents and the public for calm, tolerance and patience.
It is vital that due process is allowed to take its course without interference. Speculation or actions outside of the official processes can be harmful.
Reports indicate that Tyson Lunga sodomised several students at Milton High School, reportedly buying their silence with cash and food items, such as burgers.
So far, nine learners have come forward with accusations, but it is believed that the actual number of victims may be higher.
It is claimed that Lunga primarily targeted students in Form One and Two, focusing on newcomers to the school. Said a source at the school:
Lunga used to stay in one of the hostels, Pioneer, which mainly houses Form One and Two pupils, which were the bulk of his alleged victims. He would buy their silence by paying them or buying them burgers.
We suspect this has been going on for some time, but it only came to light last week when Upper Six students refused for him to teach them, saying they knew what he had been doing to their juniors and hence should answer for his crimes. It is then that some brave students then came out, opening up on the alleged sodomy.
This marks the third incident in less than three months involving inappropriate relationships between teachers and students of the same sex.
At Townsend High School, a female teacher on teaching practice from Hillside Teachers’ College was removed from her position towards the end of the last term due to her involvement in a lesbian relationship with students.
Reports suggest that she was living in the same hostel as the learners and had multiple sexual partners among them.
Anymore Gumbo, the deputy head of Masase High School in Mberengwa, is currently on the run after allegedly sodomising over 35 pupils at the school.
More: The Sunday News
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