admin
In an interview yesterday, the deputy provincial education director for Matabeleland North, Mr Mathias Luphahla said the district education officer for Hwange would institute the disciplinary process since the headmaster of the school is also involved.
“Once he has completed the process he will then submit a report to the provincial office and the province will then concluded the process.
“The Act they stand convicted of is bringing the name of the Ministry into disrepute and we do not take lightly to such behaviour especially where children are involved,” said Mr Luphahla.
He said while the idea of fund-raising was a noble one, the headmaster was supposed to advise the other members of staff on matters of policy.
Kambasha Raura (47), Fiona Ndlovu (42), Melusi Ndiweni (41), Viola Chapatarongo (30), Tsitsi Musasa (31), Soja Sibanda (39), Carol Meya (26), Ntombizodwa Ngozi (33) and Mongiwethu Dube (29) on Monday pleaded guilty to charges of making children perform in any way for public entertainment before Hwange resident magistrate Ms Lindiwe Maphosa.
They were jointly charged with Breget Ndlovu (28), Beauty Hlatswayo (28), Lovemore Sibanda (41), Farayi Magagani (36), Sally Mutendi (30), Phalazah Tshabangu (44) and Peter Dimbira (37).
The teachers were on Tuesday spared the agony of jail life when they were each fined $100 (or 30 days in prison).
Lyma Hlatswayo (52), the bar manager where the contest was held, was not summoned to appear in court and the prosecutor, Mr Sifelumusa Fuzane had to apply for a separation of trial.
He will now appear in court alone after being summoned.
The State case was that on 20 September last year, the 16 teachers acting in connivance teamed up and agreed to organise Miss Ingagula Modelling Contest to fund-raise for the school’s speech and prize giving day.
They agreed that the venue of the contest was Ingagula Cocktail Bar in Hwange Town and that the contestants would be drawn from adults in the community.
The teachers connived to cause the five pupils aged between 16 and 17 to participate in the modelling contest well knowing that the venue was a bar where children below the age of 18 are not allowed.
The bar manager, Lyma, who was on duty on the particular day allegedly sanctioned the use of the bar as the venue of the contest.
The five girls participated in the modelling contest on 30 September and the audience was made up of adults who were drinking beer.
The contestants started modelling at 11 pm up to 2.30 am the following day.
During the modelling contest, a misunderstanding ensued between some patrons, which resulted in a fight that led to one patron being hit with a chair and the person later died on 2 October the same year, while admitted to Hwange Colliery Hospital.
The State showed that the environment in which the contest was held and the starting and finishing times affected the children’s health, morals, mind and body.
Mr Tonderai Charles Mukuku, of Marondedze, Mukuku, Ndove and Partners defend the 16 teachers.
Online Reporter