Allegations against St David’s Bonda High School teacher reignite concerns over child protection in Zimbabwe’s boarding schools
By Fanuel Chinowaita
BONDA, MANICALAND — Allegations of sexual abuse involving a teacher and a 17-year-old learner at St David’s Bonda High School have raised fresh concerns about child protection in Zimbabwe’s boarding schools, with police searching for the accused while broader claims circulating on social media have prompted calls for an independent investigation.
Police allege that on the evening of Sunday, June 21, a 48-year-old teacher, Anesu Mautsa, collected the Upper Six learner during evening study period and took her to his residence within the school compound, where they allegedly engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse.
According to police, two school security guards, Venancia Mupandasekwa and Jonathan Tika, observed the teacher collecting the learner and became suspicious. The guards allegedly monitored the residence for about 90 minutes before confronting the teacher after the learner left the house.
Police further allege that the teacher offered each guard US$1,000 in an attempt to persuade them not to report the incident. The guards allegedly refused and informed Deputy Headmistress Sekai Musanhu.
By the time school authorities attended the scene, the teacher had reportedly left the premises.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that the matter was reported to ZRP Mutasa on June 23.
“The complainant was referred to Bonda Mission Hospital for medical examination, while investigations are continuing,” Nyathi said.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the teacher.
Investigators allege that during interviews, the learner stated that the incident was not the first encounter and that she had previously engaged in sexual intercourse with the teacher on another occasion.
Those allegations have not yet been tested in court.
As news of the case spread, a message widely shared on social media and purportedly written by a learner at the school alleged that inappropriate relationships between the teacher and female students had been occurring over an extended period.
“As I am writing this, my heart is bleeding. I would like to name and shame St David’s Bonda High School. You have failed us as students. The ones who are supposed to protect us as the girl child are the ones violating us,” the message reads.
The writer further alleges that the teacher used his tinted vehicle to take female students to his residence during evening prep periods.
“Sir Mautsa… you sneak students into your house during prep time using your tinted car and sleep with them without protection,” the message alleges.
The message also claims there were fears among learners regarding sexually transmitted infections and alleges that some students had witnessed suspicious movements involving the teacher and female learners.
However, The Wasu Post has not independently verified the broader allegations contained in the social media post, and it remains unclear whether any formal complaints relating to those claims had previously been made to school authorities or police.
Following the incident, the school notified parents that a teacher had allegedly been involved in misconduct with a learner and confirmed that the matter had been reported to the police.
The Anglican Diocese of Manicaland, the school’s Responsible Authority, says it is cooperating with investigators.
Education Secretary Edmund Samutereko said the Diocese does not condone any form of abuse involving learners.
“The police are looking for him as part of the broader investigations into the allegations, which we do not condone as the Responsible Authority,” he said.
“If indeed it happened, we condemn that and believe the law should take its course so that he can account for the alleged actions.”
The Diocese has not commented on the wider allegations circulating on social media, saying investigations are still underway.
Efforts by The Wasu Post to obtain a comment from Mautsa were unsuccessful as his whereabouts remain unknown.
Although the criminal investigation centres on one complainant, the allegations have reignited debate about safeguarding children in boarding schools, where learners spend much of the school term away from their parents.
Child rights organizations have consistently argued that schools require stronger reporting systems, independent complaint mechanisms and regular safeguarding training for staff.
Advocates also say learners should have confidential channels to report abuse without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
Parents interviewed by The Wasu Post said the case has caused anxiety among families with children attending boarding schools.
“When we send our children to boarding school, we trust that the school will provide not only education but also protection,” one parent said on condition of anonymity.
“Cases like this leave many parents asking whether enough safeguards are in place.”
As of publication, police said Mautsa remained at large.
No court appearance has yet been recorded because the suspect has not been arrested.
Investigations by the Zimbabwe Republic Police are continuing.
The allegations against the teacher have not yet been tested before a court of law, and he remains entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Meanwhile, child protection advocates say the case highlights the importance of ensuring that every allegation involving a learner is investigated thoroughly, transparently and without delay to maintain public confidence in Zimbabwe’s education system.