Milton High School teacher fired despite court acquittal

THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has dismissed a Milton High School teacher, Mr Tyson Lunga (37), over allegations of improper association with learners, despite his acquittal in court due to lack of evidence.

Mr Lunga, who had been on suspension since May last year, appeared before the ministry’s disciplinary committee on September 22, last year, where he faced charges of improper association with learners in terms of the ministry’s regulations.

Bulawayo Provincial Education Director, Mr Bernard Mazambane, yesterday confirmed the dismissal.
“The teacher concerned has been relieved of his duties. As a ministry, we do not rely solely on court outcomes. We have our own internal processes guided mainly by what learners say,” he said.

Mr Lunga, who is also a pastor at a local Pentecostal church and a volunteer with Scripture Union, was accused of sodomising mainly Form Two learners and indecently assaulting several students. The allegations included claims that he enticed learners with cash, food such as burgers and other material items in exchange for silence.

Mr Lunga was arrested in June last year after learners, with the assistance of another staff member, reported the matter to police, alleging that the incidents occurred in May.

However, Bulawayo magistrate Ms Beverly Madzikatire acquitted Lunga of six counts of improper conduct with learners, ruling that the allegations lacked merit and were not made timeously or voluntarily.

Ms Madzikatire said the complainants alleged that Lunga sent them sexually explicit messages, but none were produced in court.

“The complainants in counts one and two gave evidence that materially differed from that of the person they allegedly told about the offence,” said the magistrate.

She further questioned claims that Lunga fondled a complainant’s buttocks in a busy area in the Bulawayo central business district, noting the absence of witnesses.

“On all counts, no report was made timeously and voluntarily. The students only reported after being questioned by teachers,” ruled the magistrate.

Lunga was represented by Ms Constance Mathaba of Makiya and Partners, who argued that the allegations were vague, lacked dates and locations and were therefore unreliable.

Ms Mathaba further submitted that the accusations were instigated by two teachers following Lunga’s transfer from another school in September 2024.

She told the court that Lunga had formally complained to the school head about the rumours, but no action was taken.

Despite the acquittal, the ministry proceeded with disciplinary action under its internal code, resulting in Lunga’s dismissal.