Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
TYSON Lunga, a teacher at Milton High School, a boys-only institution in Bulawayo, has vehemently denied accusations that he solicited sexual relations with students.
Lunga, (36) said during his bail hearing yesterday that the allegations are part of a deliberate plot orchestrated by two fellow teachers to damage his reputation.
Through his lawyer, Ms Constance Mathaba of Makiya and Partners, Lunga argued that the allegations lacked merit as most of them occurred at unknown locations and dates.
“He knows the complainants as students at the school and interacts with them on a student-teacher basis,” said Ms Mathaba.
She said, according to Lunga, the allegations were formulated by two teachers (names withheld) after he was transferred from another school in September last year.
“His move was preceded by rumours that he was into homosexuality. From the time he moved to the school, he was suspected of being homosexual. He says two teachers created the rumours of the alleged homosexuality,” said Ms Mathaba.
She said Lunga thereafter filed an official complaint with the school head about the rumours, which reportedly fell on deaf ears.
Ms Mathaba said all six counts are a result of the said conspiracy.
“The delays in making reports about the alleged offences raise questions. In particular, our laws encourage victims of sexually related incidents to report the matters promptly,” said Ms Mathaba.
The bail hearing, which is before Mrs Eva Matura is continuing today.
Lunga, a pastor at one of the country’s largest Pentecostal churches and a volunteer with the Scripture Union, was arrested last Friday.
He is accused of making sexual advances to several students and indecently assaulting one of the victims.
The accused was allegedly buying the victims’ silence with cash and food such as burgers.
Court documents detail multiple disturbing incidents. In one instance, Lunga allegedly indecently assaulted a 17-year-old student in April this year, sending him WhatsApp messages proposing a romantic relationship.
“On May 2, 2025, at around 7 pm, the accused approached the complainant, suggesting he come to his hostel, which the complainant denied. The accused then sent WhatsApp messages to the complainant, stating he was handsome and his lips and body looked sexy. He also said that he wanted to have sexual intercourse with him, but the complainant did not reply,” the documents read.
It was further stated that on a later date this year, Lunga met the complainant in town, hugged him and inappropriately touched his back.
The second count involves a 15-year-old student at the school. “The accused summoned the complainant to his office, offered him a pie and then requested to be intimate with him, promising to pay him US$10 afterwards. The complainant told the accused he would give him a reply the following day and then left.
“On May 22, at around 7pm, the accused called the complainant into his room and stated he wanted to pay for his gym fee and give him US$10, in exchange for intimacy,” court documents continued. The accused reportedly did not respond before another student unexpectedly interrupted their conversation.
In the fourth count, another complainant from the school recounted walking with Lunga in the CBD when their conversation turned to homosexuality. Lunga allegedly told the complainant he wanted to experiment and experience what it was like to be intimate with someone of the same sex.
The accused offered the complainant US$50 for them to be intimate, but the complainant refused. The accused kept insisting on being intimate each time they met. The complainant then reported the matter to the boarding master, the documents revealed.
The sixth count alleges that Lunga openly discussed his sexual orientation with an 18-year-old complainant, telling him he had a list of students he wished to have sexual intercourse with and that the complainant was on it.
“The accused asked the complainant to choose between playing a male and female role and the complainant said he would rather be a male. The accused told the complainant that he had feelings for him and he wanted to have sexual intercourse with him, which the complainant denied. The accused then asked the complainant for his shoe size and upon hearing it, claimed that the shoe size determined the size of his manhood. He then expressed his desire to be intimate with the complainant.
“The complainant informed his friend. On May 29, 2025, the complainant revealed the issue to the boarding master, who escorted him to the police to report the matter.”
