Homosexuality allegations at Mutare Boys High

MUTARE Boys' High School is at the centre of a homosexual scandal, amid revelations that two male students were last week caught red-handed in a compromising position.

The school authorities were battling to keep the issue under wraps. However, The Manica Post has it on good authority that two Four Two pupils (names withheld) were caught red-handed in the toilet on an unfortunate Monday evening.

The two, whose names could not be divulged as they are still minors, were allegedly caught in a compromising position by four other pupils in the toilet and a report was made to the school authorities.

The pupils who reside in separate dormitories at the school had their parents summoned last Wednesday over the issue.

The students allegedly admitted the wrong doing and were canned.

It was not immediately clear whether they had been suspended.

The incident was not reported to the police.

Sodomy is a criminal offence.

"We have checked with Mutare Central Police Station, and no such report was lodged," said the acting provincial spokesman, Assistant Inspector Muzondiwa Clean.

Mutare Boys' High headmaster, Mr Mathew Tondoya on Wednesday initially denied knowledge of the incident, but later said such "rumours" were circulating at the school.

When pressed further, Mr Tondoya eventually confirmed the incident, but refused to divulge any information, arguing that he had since submitted a report to the acting Provincial Education Director, Mr Andrew Chigumira.

Mr Tondoya said he was barred by policy from disclosing such information to the Press.

"I know what you want to inquire about," said Mr Tondoya, when the reporter introduced himself. "Look, there is nothing like that. I know nothing about that.

"Nothing like that ever happened," said Mr Tondoya, adding that he was on leave.

When pressed further and furnished with the names of the alleged wrong-doers, Mr Tondoya climbed down. He, however, had unkind words for the parents who "leaked" the information to the paper.

"Those were mere allegations. You must know that a lot of rumours circulate at a big institution like this," said Mr Tondoya.  "It was wrong for those parents to raise issue to do with the school through The Manica Post as there are internal channels they should follow.

"I am barred by policy from discussing such issues with the Press. I have since submitted a report to the PED concerning that issue. I run the school under the armpit of the PED and he is the rightful person to comment.

"I cannot give you any details concerning the matter because I do not have the report right now. Talk to the PED, he knows about it," said Mr Tondoya.

Mr Chigumira said he had not gone through Mr Tondoya's report.

"I do not have the finer details or rather full picture of what transpired because I have not gone through the head's report.

"I had no time to look into it as I was in a series of workshops. May be the best person to help you is the DEO for Mutare," said Mr Chigumira.

Mr Nathaniel Machini, the Mutare DEO said he had heard of the incident.

"I have heard about those allegations and the matter is under investigation. I do not know how far the investigations have gone. For the past week I have been out of office in Odzi and I cannot give you the finer details because I have not heard any feedback," said Mr Machini.