Teacher fakes trip to engage in sex with pupil

A GWANDA teacher allegedly faked a school trip to Bulawayo with a Form Three pupil and took her his house for a night of sex.

Shakespear Ncube, who is a Mathematics teacher at Enyandeni Secondary School in Mtshabezi, allegedly committed the offence during the school holidays in August.

The matter is still pending as the girl's guardians are seeking legal recourse.

In an interview yesterday, the pupil's guardian, Mr College Mlilo, said Ncube spent a night with the pupil.

"Ncube lied to us that my niece was wanted in Bulawayo at Hillside Teachers' College to receive a prize on 15 August for an essay competition which she had won," he said.

"Three pupils were reportedly supposed to go for the trip in a bus. However, the bus didn't come but Ncube collected her at the school and took her to Vumbachikwe where he resides. He had sex with her overnight before returning her the following day."

Mr Mlilo said the family was suspicious and inquired from the school authorities who professed ignorance about the trip.

"My niece had brought a cellphone which she said she won as a prize. The school head, Mr Peter Karongo, told us that the school had no such trip.

When we quizzed the girl she confessed that she was in love with Ncube and had sex on the day at his home," he said.

Mr Mlilo said the school asked the teacher and his niece to write reports and they confessed to be in a sexual relationship.

Matabeleland South provincial education director, Mrs Tumisang Thabela, could not be reached for comment as she was said to be out office.

The provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Philisani Ndebele, yesterday confirmed receiving a report on the issue.

"Police did their level best in the matter but could not charge the teacher as the statement by the pupil had changed. The family took too long to involve the police. The pupil may have succumbed to undue influence," said Insp Ndebele.