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Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent—
A RUSAPE teacher locked up and detained a Grade Two pupil in a classroom for about eight hours for failing to finish his work on time.The teacher, Mavis Ndambakuwa, was recently found guilty of violating Section 93 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act by Rusape provincial magistrate, Mr Shingi Mutiro, who sentenced her to three-month imprisonment with an option of a $200 fine.
Prosecuting, Mr Tafara Chawatama, told the court that Ndambakuwa locked the pupil (name withheld) for eight hours, from 12.30pm to 8.30pm in the classroom.
“On January 21, at around 12.30pm and at Nyahava Primary School, Ndambakuwa gave work to all her pupils. She was also in the classroom doing her work and all the pupils went to their homes leaving Ndambakuwa and the pupil.
“Ndambakuwa finished her work and locked the classroom door leaving the pupil alone.
“On the same day around 2pm, the pupil’s father discovered that his son had not come back from school. He made enquiries, but in vain.
“He later met his son who explained to him what had happened leading to Ndambakuwa’s arrest,” he said.
Ndambakuwa, who was not represented pleaded not guilty, saying when she dismissed all the pupils she did not notice that the pupil had remained in the classroom.
“I do not admit to the charges being levelled against me that I kidnapped the pupil.
“When I locked the classroom door I did not notice that the pupil was inside the classroom.
“After locking the door I went home,” said Ndambakuwa.
However, the pupil told the court Ndambakuwa had deliberately locked him inside the classroom as she later came back at night to release him.
“Madam Ndambakuwa gave us work to do and other pupils finished their work and went home. I did not finish my work and madam locked me in the classroom. She came back in the night to unlock the door,” testified the pupil.
Online Reporter