16 teachers fined for taking schoolgirls to nightclub

THE 16 teachers from Gebuza High School in Hwange District who took schoolgirls to a nightclub where they took part in a modelling contest were yesterday spared the agony of jail life when they were each fined $100 (or 30 days in prison). The five girls who took part in the modelling contest held at a night club are aged between 16 and 17.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) 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).
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 a 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.
It is the State case that the teachers connived to cause the five pupils 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.