adminREADERS have expressed exasperation over the delay in prosecution of a Hartzell High School teacher who allegedly slept with a Form Two inmate at Fairfield Orphanage and infected her with a serious sexually transmitted disease.
On October 15, the State, through Mutare prosecutor, Mr Andrew Motsi, instructed police at Penhalonga Police Station to record statements from the medical practitioners who treated the minor, but the errand had not yet been done by October 29, despite that it is less than 5km from Penhalonga Police Station to Hartzell High School.
Nhamo Muchagumisa of Penhalonga, said police could hardly have any excuse for failing to prioritise the plight of an orphan who suffered abuse allegedly at the hands of a school teacher.
“What commitment could be more urgent than that of an orphan who happens to be a victim of sexual abuse? Do school authorities conceal some acts of misconduct to protect perpetrators? It is my sincere hope that the police will investigate the Hartzell High sexual abuse case to its rock bottom for public satisfaction,” read a text message from Muchagumisa.
Dadirai Musimbe said the case could have been treated differently only if the minor’s parents were alive.
“I don’t think this could have been allowed to drag this long only if this child’s parents’ were still alive. It appears people do not care anymore, as long as it is not affecting them and their children. It is bad, the child deserves protection from the society,” said Musimbe.
An anonymous caller lampooned the investigating officers for not treating the matter with the urgency it deserves.
“This case is said to have happened early this year and the year is about to come to an end, but it is still to be finalised. This is a mockery to our justice delivery system. How could the so-called investigating officers fail to find time for such a serious case of sexual abuse? Surely, who will protect the defenceless if we trample upon their rights willy-nilly? Please guys tipeiwo zviri nane,” she said.
However, another reader, who seemed to be Mukwindidza’s pupil at Hartzell stood in the teacher’s corner, exonerating him of any wrongdoing.
“He did not do it and I don’t know why this child wants to tarnish our teachers’ image. We will pray for you MK! Just be strong and you will get over this,” reads the message from the pupil.
The case was set to appear before the courts recently, but the State could not proceed after discovering that statements from medical practitioners who treated the minor of the STI had not yet been recorded, exactly two weeks after the State had issued an instruction for that to be done.
It has since been set for Wednesday.
An Advanced Level Science teacher, William Mukwindidza is alleged to have slept with and infected an orphan (name withheld) with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).
PID is one of the most serious complications of a sexually transmitted disease in women.
Online Reporter