News / Regional
Teacher sexually abuses six pupils, arrested
02 Oct 2012 at 04:40hrs | Views
POLICE in Matabeleland North have arrested a 42-year-old male teacher from Sipepa High School in Tsholotsho District for allegedly sexually abusing six schoolgirls.
In an interview on condition of anonymity yesterday, one of the teachers at the school said Alec Nyakwangwa, who teaches Computer Science, was arrested after the abused pupils openly discussed the matter during a seminar held by the police Victim Friendly Unit recently.
The officer commanding Lupane police district, Chief Superintendent Johannes Govo, confirmed the arrest.
"Yes we have received that report. The teacher is facing charges of indecent assault. It is said that he would call the pupils to his office where he would caress them or fondle their breasts. It is said he would molest them in the presence of other pupils and would give money to some of them to conceal the matter," said Chief Supt Govo.
He could not be drawn to giving more detail, saying he was out of office and did not have the report record with him.
However, the teacher said Nyakwangwa was arrested last week.
"The police conducted a victim friendly campaign at the school. It came to light that Nyakwangwa abused the pupils on numerous occasions at the computer laboratory between June and September this year. The pupils are aged between 14 and 15," said a source at the school.
"He gave one of the victims $15 to silence her but the pupil told her friends about the incident. Some pupils were abused during weekends or holiday lessons during which he fondled their breasts several times. He gave one of the victims a calculator to conceal the matter.
"On 18 September he fondled one of the pupils who had turned down his proposal sometime in January this year. During the police campaign the pupils reported the matter and the police arrested him."
Matabeleland North provincial education director Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni said her office had received the report and was going to take appropriate measures.
"I do not have much detail for now but I understand the teacher is out on bail and has returned to school. We are handling the matter according to the Ministry procedures," she said without elaborating.
In an interview on condition of anonymity yesterday, one of the teachers at the school said Alec Nyakwangwa, who teaches Computer Science, was arrested after the abused pupils openly discussed the matter during a seminar held by the police Victim Friendly Unit recently.
The officer commanding Lupane police district, Chief Superintendent Johannes Govo, confirmed the arrest.
"Yes we have received that report. The teacher is facing charges of indecent assault. It is said that he would call the pupils to his office where he would caress them or fondle their breasts. It is said he would molest them in the presence of other pupils and would give money to some of them to conceal the matter," said Chief Supt Govo.
He could not be drawn to giving more detail, saying he was out of office and did not have the report record with him.
However, the teacher said Nyakwangwa was arrested last week.
"The police conducted a victim friendly campaign at the school. It came to light that Nyakwangwa abused the pupils on numerous occasions at the computer laboratory between June and September this year. The pupils are aged between 14 and 15," said a source at the school.
"He gave one of the victims $15 to silence her but the pupil told her friends about the incident. Some pupils were abused during weekends or holiday lessons during which he fondled their breasts several times. He gave one of the victims a calculator to conceal the matter.
"On 18 September he fondled one of the pupils who had turned down his proposal sometime in January this year. During the police campaign the pupils reported the matter and the police arrested him."
Matabeleland North provincial education director Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni said her office had received the report and was going to take appropriate measures.
"I do not have much detail for now but I understand the teacher is out on bail and has returned to school. We are handling the matter according to the Ministry procedures," she said without elaborating.
Source - TC
