Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter
A MALE teacher at Milton High School in Bulawayo has been arrested and suspended from work amid allegations of improper conduct with learners at the boys-only school.
The teacher, Tyson Lunga, who teaches Advanced Level commercials at the school, is also a pastor at one of the biggest Pentecostal churches in the country and is a volunteer of the Scripture Union, where he has been a patron at various Scripture Union clubs in schools.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Mr Taungana Ndoro confirmed the developments at the school, revealing that the teacher has since been arrested.
“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,” said Mr Ndoro.
He revealed that the ministry has taken immediate action and the teacher in question was suspended from duty as soon as the allegations came to light.
“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,” said Mr Ndoro.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, also confirmed the arrest.
“There was a case that was reported, but I am yet to get the finer details.”
According to sources at the school, Lunga is alleged to have sodomised several learners at the school, buying their silence with cash and food items like burgers.
So far, nine learners are said to have come forward but the number is believed to be more.
The sources said Lunga would mainly target learners in Form One and Two or newcomers 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,” said the source.
It was further revealed that Lunga had been transferred from Magwegwe High School under unclear circumstances.
“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,” said the source.
Mr Ndoro, however, assured the public that the ministry’s primary focus remains unwavering, which is the safety, well-being and protection of all learners.
“We strive to uphold an environment of good conduct and to provide quality education. Any breach of this trust is met with the strongest possible action, as demonstrated here.
“We understand the distress these allegations cause and assure everyone that our internal processes, alongside the ZRP investigation, are being pursued rigorously,” he said.
This is the third incident, in under three months, of an improper association between a teacher and learners of the same sex.
A Townsend High School female teacher, on teaching practice from Hillside Teachers’ College, was removed from the school towards the end of last term for being in a lesbian relationship with learners.
The teacher, who was also staying in the same hostel with the learners is said to have had multiple sexual partners, among the learners.
The deputy head of Masase High School in Mberengwa, Anymore Gumbo, is on the run after he allegedly sodomised over 35 pupils at the school.
Gumbo, reportedly sneaked out of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Zimbabwe (ELCZ)-run school premises in April after police descended on the school to investigate reports of sodomy.
He would allegedly invite pupils to his office, where he would sodomise them.
