By Takudzwa Josiah
Parents and Guardians in Zvishavane have called on education authorities to introduce better monitoring and reporting mechanisms to protect girls from rape in private schools.
Parents and Guardians that spoke to Amakhosikazi Media in Zvishavane said they fear many cases are going unreported with students choosing to remain silent for fear of punishment failure or other reprisals from perpetrators.
A guardian with two nieces in high school Mr Mandaza called on “government and other child concern organizations to step up and introduce monitoring systems in these private schools and colleges because girls are falling prey to some evil-minded teachers and principals”.
“These private schools are operating differently from the traditional schools and the teachers and principals are doing a lot that leaves them in isolated spaces with students who they rape or convince to have relationships,” said one concerned parent.
In an interview, an aunt to a rape victim in a case that is before the Zvishavane Magistrate’s court said this is something that has been reported a number of times with the principal proposing love to students who are at times promised good results.
She called on authorities to come to the students’ rescue.
“Children are naughty we know but they should be safe in schools, girls are being abused. The Principal is a known culprit and this is concerning. We need help from the responsible authorities” said the distraught aunt.
The 38-year-old Zvishavane man, a principal at a local private school is due in court to face charges of Rape as defined in the Criminal Law codification and reform act Chapter 09:23. It is alleged that he raped a pupil from his school and promised to ensure she passes examinations.
The state-led by Miss Tumelo Hindoga alleged that sometime in May and September 2021 the complainant who is aged 16 was instructed by the accused Norbert Vherukai to bring her National Identification card for school purposes and she complied.
It is alleged that the accused then requested a hug from the complainant and promised that he will make her pass her final examinations.
The court heard that the accused then lifted up the complainant and placed her on his bed and raped her once.
Vherukai was not asked to plead when he appeared before Magistrate Mrs Eviar Matura, who remanded him in custody.
