Police hunt St David’s Bonda teacher over alleged abuse of pupil

Police hunt St David’s Bonda teacher over alleged abuse of pupil

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Police are searching for a teacher at St David’s Bonda Girls High School following allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a pupil who is a minor, according to a statement by the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland.

The diocese, which is the responsible authority for the school, said the teacher, identified as Mr Mautsa, fled after school security personnel intercepted him when he allegedly brought the pupil back towards the school from his residence. The incident is said to have occurred after a tip-off from pupils.

In a press statement dated 25 June 2026 and signed by the diocesan registrar, Ashel Mutungura, the diocese confirmed the matter and said it was working with law enforcement and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

According to an internal school report referenced by the diocese, security guards received information from pupils at around 6.30pm that a female pupil had entered the teacher’s vehicle and had been driven to his home. The guards followed and kept watch, then intercepted the vehicle as the pupil was being returned. The pupil was taken to the headmaster’s office for safety and questioning, while the teacher drove away, the report says.

During a preliminary internal inquiry, the pupil is alleged to have told school authorities that the teacher had been sexually involved with her.

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The school reported the matter to the police, who opened a criminal case described in the internal report as statutory rape and abuse of authority. The pupil was escorted to a local hospital for medical assessment and trauma care, and her parents were informed, according to the same report.

The diocese said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education was also notified so that processes for suspension and deregistration could begin.

In its statement, the diocese commended pupils for reporting the matter promptly, saying the tip-off enabled a timely response. It also praised the school’s security team and administration for intercepting the vehicle and for refusing what it described as an attempted bribe to conceal the alleged misconduct.

Zimbabwe’s Criminal Laws Amendment (Protection of Children and Young Persons) Act of 2024 sets the age of consent at 18. Under the law, sexual activity with a person below that age is a criminal offence regardless of consent, with a possible prison term of up to 10 years.

Mr Mautsa remains at large. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the police.

Bindura Eye is not identifying the pupil because she is a minor.

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