Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Zimpapers Reporter
A teacher from Milton High School in Bulawayo, who was recently acquitted by the courts on multiple sodomy charges, is set to appear before the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s disciplinary committee on September 22.
Mr Tyson Lunga faces allegations of improper association with learners in violation of ministry regulations.
The Ministry’s Director of Communications and Advocacy, Mr Taungana Ndoro, confirmed the development.
“His date of hearing is on September 22,” said Mr Ndoro.
Mr Lunga has been on suspension since the allegations first surfaced in May. He was accused of indecently assaulting several learners, reportedly attempting to silence them with money and food, such as burgers.
Court documents detailed multiple incidents, in which he allegedly sought to entice the complainants with cash, food and other flashy material items.
Mr Lunga had been released on bail pending the conclusion of the matter. He was arrested in June following reports made to the police by the learners, with the assistance of another staff member. The incidents were said to have occurred in May.
Last month, Bulawayo magistrate Ms Beverly Madzikatire, acquitted the 36-year-old teacher, who had faced six counts of improper conduct with students, including allegations that he solicited sexual relations.
Ms Madzikatire ruled that the allegations lacked substance, noting that they were neither made in a timely manner nor voluntarily.
She further noted that the complainants claimed Mr Lunga sent them sexually explicit messages, but failed to present any such evidence in court.
“In counts one and two, the complainants’ evidence materially differed from the testimony of the individual they reportedly confided in,” said Ms Madzikatire.
“Additionally, while one complainant alleged that the accused sent him sexually explicit messages, none were submitted as evidence in court.”
She also questioned the credibility of claims that Mr Lunga fondled a student’s buttocks in a busy area in the city centre, citing the absence of any witnesses.
In all the counts, she observed that reports were made only after the students were questioned by teachers, casting doubt on the voluntary nature of the disclosures.
Ms Madzikatire stated that Mr Lunga’s defence, that the allegations were fabricated by certain teachers, was highly plausible.
In a separate incident in May this year, a female student teacher at Townsend High School, one of Bulawayo’s leading girls-only schools, was accused of engaging in lesbian relationships with pupils.
The student teacher, identified only as Ms Ndou from Matabeleland South Province, was on teaching practice from Hillside Teachers’ College during the first term.
In accordance with school policy, she was accommodated in Carnegie, one of the school’s two boarding hostels, alongside learners, as space permitted.
The issue came to light during an anti-social behaviour and drug and substance abuse awareness campaign conducted by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
During the campaign, some learners reportedly disclosed that improper relationships existed between a female teacher and certain pupils.
It was further alleged that the student teacher was involved with more than one learner, potentially causing jealousy among the pupils and prompting some to report the situation.
Reports also suggested that some members of the school administration initially attempted to downplay the allegations until the matter was brought to the attention of the headmistress, Mrs Thoko Tshabalala.
