Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
ANOTHER day, another teacher molests a female learner!
A Claremont High School teacher in Nyanga, who was serving as the school’s acting deputy headmaster, is on the run after being caught molesting a 17 year old Form Three learner at his home.
The case follows closely on the heels of another scandal at St David’s Bonda High School, where a teacher, Anesu Mautsa, fled after allegedly being caught engaging in a sexual relation with a female learner.
The latest incident saw a female juvenile aged 17, residing at a boarding facility at Claremont Secondary School in Nyanga where she is doing Form Three, being sexually victimised by Simon Muzerengi, who is believed to be around 50 years of age.
Muzerengi is now facing indecent assault charges as defined in Section 67 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9: 23.
Just like in the St David’s Bonda High School case, reliable sources close to the goings-on at Claremont High School revealed that Muzerengi was a known child molester who was somehow enjoying the protection of the school authorities, with a number of reported similar cases collapsing well before prosecution.
Underscoring these concerns, the case had still not been reported to the Manicaland Provincial Education offices more than 10 working days after the incident occurred.
Contacted for comment, Chief Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Richard Gabaza, said: “I don’t (have) this case. Please wait for my inquiries.”
According to the police report in this newspaper’s possession, the events unfolded on June 19.
The complainant, a 17 year old Form Three learner, allegedly went to Muzerengi’s house to return a cellphone he had given her earlier that day.
Upon arrival, she knocked on the door, and explained she had come to hand back the phone for safekeeping.
Muzerengi allegedly instructed her to leave it on the window. When she pointed out that the window was closed, he told her to open the door and place the phone on the dining room table instead.
The report notes that the complainant opened the door and entered into the dining room.
“While inside the dining room, Muzerengi quickly woke up from his bed and went to lock the door. The complainant asked Muzerengi why he locked the door, and he told her that he loves her. The complainant told Muzerengi to unlock the door for her.
“He went to sleep on his bed leaving the complainant standing in the dining room alone. Muzerengi went outside the house, and locked the complainant inside. He later returned,” reads the police statement.
The police further stated that upon returning, the complainant was seated on the accused’s bed since it was cold, and Muzerengi tried to fondle her breast, but was blocked.
Muzerengi allegedly grabbed the complainant from the back, and fondled her breast without her consent.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and Muzerengi released the complainant from his arms.
It is alleged that Muzerengi went outside, and came back inside the house with three teachers, Mr Simon Mandikonza, Ms Sandra Mundoga and Mr Korona Takawira and two learners.
On June 23, a report was made at ZRP Nyanga, and the complainant was referred to Nyanga District Hospital for medical examination.
Police attended the scene, and the accused was not arrested.
Investigations are in progress under ZRP Nyanga Received Book Number 6850644.
