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Teacher’s rape case opens can of worms

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MASVINGO - The trial of a 65-year-old Chiredzi primary school teacher, who was arrested last week on allegations of raping a 12-year-old pupil, has opened a can of worms amid reports that seven more pupils had come out claiming being abused by their mentor.

MASVINGO – The trial of a 65-year-old Chiredzi primary school teacher, who was arrested last week on allegations of raping a 12-year-old pupil, has opened a can of worms amid reports that seven more pupils had come out claiming being abused by their mentor.

REPORT BY TATENDA CHITAGU OWN CORRESPONDENT

Godfrey Sithole of Tshovani Primary School last Friday appeared before Chiredzi magistrate Honest Musiiwa facing charges of sexually molesting a Grade Six pupil.

He was not asked to plead and remanded in custody to December 6.

Prosecutors say seven more pupils had come forward and filed similar charges, forcing the matter to be transferred to the Masvingo Magistrates’ Court because of its changed status.

Sithole, a long-serving teacher at the school who was due for retirement this year, is alleged to have taken the 12-year-old girl for a wife as he raped her several times.

For the State, Chiedza Muhwandavaka alleged that Sithole lured the girl to his house and raped her once on November 12 .

Two days later, he allegedly forced the minor to stay behind after her peers had gone home and then raped her.

The pupil, however, blew the lid on the matter, leading to his arrest.

In other charges, Sithole allegedly sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl and another one aged 13 by fondling their breasts and caressing one of the girls in full view of other pupils.

Sithole is also alleged to have fondled another minor’s breasts before she bolted out of the room.

Between May and July, it is alleged that he also fondled the breasts of two other juveniles.