A Bulawayo based teach at Milton High School who allegedly sodomised at least 9 male students at the school has been arrested. The teacher is reportedly also a pastor at Harvest International and volunteer leader of the Scription Union.
The Chronicle reports that the A Level teacher was allegedly targeting mainly Form One, Form 2 and new students at the school. He would apparently pay the students off with money and other things such as burgers, so they would not speak out. The teacher stays at the school, but has since been suspended.
The alleged abuse came to light after the A Level students refused to be taught by him accusing him of abusing younger students.
A spokesperson at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Taungana Ndoro, confirmed the development saying:
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 (yesterday), 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.
Bulawayo police also confirmed the arrest. Other teachers at the school also commented on the development:
The Chronicle also quoted a source at the school:
Lunga used to stay in one of the hostels, Pioneer, which mainly houses Forms 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 teacher is a senior pastor at his church and his wife divorced him last year. As fellow teachers, we have been threatened not to talk to anyone about this issue, but we feel that if we don’t it will be swept under the carpet.
However, now that it is in the public domain, we are confident more pupils will come out as his alleged victims. It is sad that he hid behind the church while doing these vile acts
Source: The Chronicle
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