21 high school pupils suspended for peddling mbanje

About 21 pupils from Tennyson Hlabangana High School on the outskirts of Bulawayo have been suspended for allegedly smoking and selling dagga.

The pupils were reportedly buying the marijuana from a villager, Norman Nkomo (54), who was arrested on Friday last week.

School authorities who spoke on condition of anonymity said four boys were caught smoking in a disused laboratory last week.

"They were searched and found with more of the drug. They then implicated 17 other pupils in a smoking ring that they said has been operating since last year. It includes pupils from between form two and form six. They also named Nkomo who was arrested," said one of the officials.

The official said the pupils said they were also selling the mbanje to other pupils.

Yesterday, the school notified the parents of the affected pupils to collect them from the school.
The headmaster, Cleopas Buhwa refused to speak to the Press.

The Bulawayo Provincial Education Director Dan Moyo said he was not aware of the incident.

Contacted for comment, National CID spokesperson Portia Chino confirmed the development and said the matter was now in the courts.