Teacher indecently assaults 5 Grade Four pupils

Zim Now Writer

A 57-year-old Bikita school teacher was arrested after he allegedly molesting five of his Grade Four learners on separate incidents.

The teacher also reportedly made comments on how the young girls were sexually gifted.

The teacher, who cannot be named for ethical reasons, is alleged to have indecently assaulted his victims aged between nine and eleven years old, between May 1 and May 23, 2024.

A video of the innocent learners is doing the rounds on social media after the parents through the School Development Committee and the local traditional leaders convened a meeting, stopping learning as they forced the leaners to narrate their ordeal in front of other learners, teachers, parents and officers from the police constabulary.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident, saying the teacher had been arrested and is being charged with indecent assault.

“I can confirm we have a report of a teacher who was nabbed by the police for indecent assault after he was reported for molesting five leaners aged between 9 and 11,” said Dhewa.

Insp Dhewa added that police are looking at the trending video with the view to establish its source, advising the school authorities and community to report such cases to the police who can handle such matters in the right manner.

Bikita District Education Inspector, James Mahofa said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education had since dispatched a team to the school to establish what really happened.

“A team from different departments is currently on the ground to investigate the matter and we are yet to get a full report of the matter,” said Mhike.

Circumstances are that on May 23, one learner asked for permission to go to the toilet from the accused who then caressed the victim with his hand underneath the table before allowing her to go.

Around 1300hrs on the same day, he allegedly called another learner and asked her to escort him to his house and upon arrival he allegedly pushed her on the bed, caressed her before she got up and ran away and told her classmates.

One of victims gathered courage and reported to the deputy head who told the school head.

It is alleged that some learners later opened up with one saying she was forced to sit on his lap while he was naked.

However, parents later got wind of the incident and convened a meeting where they paraded the learners to narrate their ordeal in front of them and local traditional leaders, who later handed the accused to Bikita police.