The Rio Tinto Agricultural College lecturer who is facing
allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse of students has been suspended.
The suspension of Nkululeko Lozane follows the broadcast of
the story on ZBC news last night.
The case of sexual exploitation of students at Rio Tinto
Agricultural College has opened a can of worms as more students are opening up
on the abuse taking place at agricultural colleges.
After the broadcast of a ZBC News story on
allegations of sexual exploitation at Rio Tinto Agricultural College this
Monday, former and current students say they have been suffering in silence for
fear of victimisation.
A number of students sent messages expressing their
displeasure over the sexual harassment of female students by lecturers.
Last year, an aggrieved husband visited Rio Tinto
Agricultural College after getting wind that a lecturer was dating his wife but
nothing was done to get to the bottom of the matter.
Indications are that other cases were swept under the
carpet despite written complaints addressed to the principal.
It is believed that more lecturers are preying on the
students and if comprehensive investigations are carried out, all the bad
apples will be identified.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water,
Climate and Rural Resettlement has dispatched an investigating committee to
Chibhero Agricultural College following the suspension of the principal on
similar allegations last week.
Chibhero principal, Phillip Mushayi, is facing allegations
of gross misconduct, harassment and sexual exploitation of female students and
lecturers.
The suspension was triggered by a 15-page report on abuse
of authority by Mushayi which was submitted to the ministry.
There are eight agricultural colleges in Zimbabwe that fall
under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement
and such allegations have the potential to tarnish the image of the ministry.
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