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A senior staffer at Nkayi High School, Matabeleland North province, has been accused of demeaning female teachers after forcing them to pose naked for a groundsperson to check which of them was menstruating.
The senior member is said to have flown off the handle after finding out that someone had messed up a toilet with what was said to be menstrual blood, sources said.
The embarrassing incident has destroyed morale among teachers at the school, who feel the senior member was treating them like slaves. About 16 female teachers were forced to undergo the demeaning examination.
Breathing fire, the boss is said to have summoned female teachers to the staffroom and demanded a confession from the “culprit”.
Quivering in fear, some teachers are said to have pointed out that learners also use the toilet. A teacher at the school, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, blew the cover on the incident.
“We were called to the staffroom towards break time. The senior staffer was furious and insulted us with unprintable words, accusing us of messing the female toilet. We were ordered to strip naked so that a staff member who does cleaning at the school could check who was on her period.
“We tried to resist, but they would not take no for an answer. They said only the culprit would refuse a physical inspection. All the female teachers who were at the school were forced to endure the dehumanising inspection. We lined up after removing all the clothes from the lower half of our bodies and spread our legs so that the groundswoman could inspect us,” said the source.
The teachers said they felt their rights had been violated by one of their own, and that they have no protection at the school. To add salt to injury, the source added, a logbook system has since been put in place for anyone visiting the toilet, which now remains locked all the time.
“We removed our panties in the presence of the school cleaner. Some of the teachers are married people, who are close to retirement, but were violated by someone who is in her 40s.
“We were never given the results, which confirms that this act (messing up of the toilet) was probably done by a learner. Our dignity was taken away because, if you are married, you only take off your panties for your partner, not to be inspected under those circumstances.
“We have been forced to use the learners’ toilets because imagine being recorded in terms of the time you enter the toilet and when you come out. This is witchcraft. The environment is no longer conducive for us to perform our duties,” said the source.
Handles of the toilet door were last week vandalised as teachers threatened to take the matter to the district schools inspector, as the school head has remained mute despite the attacks against the female teachers.
Efforts to get a comment from the school administration were unsuccessful. However, a manager who works with an organisation that deals with fighting gender-based violence and abuse against women said the affected teachers must get counselling.
“If this is true, it is sad and distressful that the female teachers had to go through such a harrowing experience, where their dignity has not been respected. The affected teachers must receive emotional support (counselling) as experiencing such an act is traumatic.
“The teachers are encouraged to document the incident and follow the procedure in reporting the matter to the education authorities. The affected teachers may want to consult legal professionals on their rights and options,” she said. — B-Metro
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Monster mom burns son’s fingers
A heartless Dangamvura woman (27) forced her son to put his hands on a burning gas stove as punishment for stealing sweets.
Memory Chikoni was convicted on her own plea of guilty for contravening provisions of the Children’s Act, [Chapter 5:06] and was fined US$300, failure of which she would serve a five-year jail term.
Mutare magistrate Perseverance Makala presided over the matter, while Tinotenda Muzondo prosecuted.
The State proved that on May 27, around 7am, Chikoni and her son were at home, where she accused him of stealing some sweets. The boy denied the accusation, but she insisted he was the culprit.
She promised to teach him a lesson for the rest of his life. This, she said, would deter him from stealing in future.
“She forced him to put his hands on top of a lit gas stove as punishment. The boy sustained burns on four of his left hand fingers,” said the prosecutor.
In sentencing her, the magistrate said Chikoni’s actions towards her child were so cruel and inhumane that they warranted a jail sentence.
Chikoni was, however, spared jail time because she had shown contrition for her actions and did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty. That show of remorse earned her a suspended jail term and the option of a fine
“What you did was cruel and inhumane, and you should be in jail. Your child will be traumatised for life because of your actions. As a mother, it is your responsibility to nurture and protect your child, not to inflict harm upon them.
“Your actions have caused physical and emotional harm to your son and it is essential that you understand the gravity of your behaviour.
“The Children’s Act is clear in that children have the right to protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Your actions have violated this right and it is my duty to hold you accountable.
“While I acknowledge that you have shown remorse for your actions, I must prioritise the well-being and safety of your child. Your behaviour was unacceptable and could have resulted in severe injury or even death.
“I sentence you to 60 months in prison, suspended on condition of payment of a fine of US$300 and community service focused on child welfare,” said Ms Makala. — Manica Post
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Man brutally stabs father for stopping him from raping niece
A man from Bulawayo’s Pumula South suburb allegedly stabbed his father five times for restraining him from bashing his niece, who was accusing him of attempting to rape her.
Busani Casper Mlauzi appeared before the Western Commonage Magistrates’ Court facing an attempted murder charge. He pleaded guilty to the charge. He apologised to his father Flyson Mlauzi (72) and begged the court to forgive him.
“I am really sorry for what I did. I was under the influence of Broncleer syrup and njengu. I do not know how I stabbed my father. I feel ashamed of what I did,” he said.
However, the magistrate convicted and sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Five years were suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence within five years.
The magistrate said the abuse of drugs was a cause for concern to the country and the Government was making efforts to end the scourge.
The magistrate said Busani’s behaviour was dangerous to society and had it not been for a family member who intervened and restrained him, he would have killed his father.
The magistrate said, in a bid to send a message to would-be offenders, Busani deserved a jail sentence.
The court heard that on March 23 this year, Busani came home drunk around 11.30pm, entered a room where his niece was sleeping and allegedly attempted to sexually attack her.
However, the alert minor bolted out of her room and sprinted to her grandfather’s bedroom.
Busani pursued her. The minor screamed, prompting her grandfather to wake up and he tried to restrain his son, who was all over his niece but things got nasty for Mlauzi.
Busani stabbed him five times before he collapsed. After that, he fled. Mlauzi was rushed to hospital and the incident was reported to the police, leading to his arrest. — B-Metro
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