admin
at the school on several occasions between June last year and last month.
Police sources in Mberengwa said the teacher, at the Lutheran Church run school, identified as Lovemore Mpofu, was picked at the school on Tuesday last week and was now in police custody in Zvishavane assisting with investigations.
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Patrick Chademana yesterday confirmed the arrest of Mpofu for allegedly sodomising 18 boys, some of whom are now doing Form One at Masase High School, which is just next to the primary school.
“I can confirm the arrest of a teacher at Masase Primary School for allegedly sodomising 18 pupils at the school while on duty. I am, however, still to get full details from Zvishavane district on the matter,” said Insp Chademana.
Sources told Chronicle yesterday that Mpofu, a Grade Five teacher at the primary school, would lure the boys aged between eight and 13 into his office and house before allegedly sodomising them.
“The crime only came to light when one of the pupils at the school whose parents are also teachers at Masase Primary complained of some pains on his back side. The pupil then opened a can of worms after he told his parents that he was being sodomised by Mpofu,” said the source.
Sources said further investigations later revealed that a number of pupils doing Grades Five, Six and Seven at the school had fallen victim to the abuse by Mpofu.
“Some pupils who are now doing Form One at Masase High School also opened up and so far 18 boys from both the primary and the high school have come up in the open and said they were abused by Mpofu.
The pupils claim Mpofu would lure them into his office or house before sodomising them. Some of the victims said he would threaten to beat them up if they reported the matter and this is why the crime has been going on since last year,” said the source.
Deputy Commanding police Zvishavane and Mberengwa districts Superintendent Robert Mugazambi said the number of pupils claiming to have fallen victim to the abuse by Mpofu could be more than 18.
“Investigations are still going on and the number of pupils could be more than 18 as some are yet to come forward,” he said.
Supt Mugazambi said some parents of children who were allegedly sodomised by Mpofu accompanied their children for medical examination at Zvishavane District Hospital yesterday.
“We are now waiting for results of the medical examination,” he said.
Online Reporter