The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has
suspended three Mkoba 3 High School male teachers over allegations of having
sexual relations with several pupils, some of them in Form One.
The teachers were allegedly served with suspension letters
last Thursday morning. Acting Midlands Provincial Education Director Mr Luke
Matutu yesterday said the three teachers were suspended to pave way for
investigations.
“Yes, I confirm that three male teachers at Mkoba 3 High
School in Mkoba, Gweru, have been suspended from work pending investigations.
But I have not received the documents from Gweru district on the alleged
cases,” he said.
“These are allegations and it’s the Gweru District Schools
Inspector (Mrs Angeline Zahile) who instituted an investigation. They are
alleged to have been having sexual relationships with their pupils.”
The team tasked to investigate the alleged misconduct by
the three teachers, sources said, has been forced to delay the probe due to the
threat posed by Covid -19.
The source said the Ministry took the measure to protect
the girl child following numerous and anonymous letters by concerned parents
and teachers at the school that were addressed to Mrs Zahile.
“There were several anonymous letters sent to the District
Schools Inspector alerting the Ministry about the alleged sexual abuse of
female pupils at the school.
The Ministry as you know doesn’t take lightly issues of
this nature leading to their suspension,” said a source close to the matter.
The source said girls who turned down love proposals from
these teachers complained of victimisation.
“We had a situation where girls have been complaining about
abuse at the hands of male members of staff at the school. It then becomes very
difficult when the teachers start abusing anyone who would have turned down the
love proposal. Life at the school becomes difficult and we appreciate this move
by the Ministry to bring sanity at the school. Whatever the verdict from the
investigation, we are definitely sure that some will be forced to change how
they interact with the girl child,” said another source. Chronicle
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