admin
The Rhodesia Herald, 17 March 1980
A TEACHER at the Loreto Secondary School at St Michael’s Church in Gwelo, who, angered by the behaviour of girls in two classrooms, picked up a piece of wood and moved around striking them on the head, was fined $250 (or 75 dars) by the Provincial Magistrate, Mr. T. F. Smith, in Gwelo Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
In addition, he was given a wholly suspended three months’ prison sentence. He was Lovemore Shumba (26), of Northleigh, Gwelo, who was convicted of common assault on 20 of the girls he struck that day.
All 20 were taken to hospital after the assault and two were detained overnight. All but two had abrasions to the head.
Shumba, who has been temporarily suspended from teaching, said that he became infuriated and angered because the girls, who were at their desks, were making a noise and he could not find out who was responsible.
He admitted that he lost his temper, and told the court that although as their teacher he had the right to discipline the girls, he accepted that the method he had used was wrong.
Online Reporter