Teacher, 48, Flees After Allegedly Being Found With 17-Year-Old Learner as Police Probe Claims of Bribery

A 48-year-old teacher at St David's Bonda Girls' High School is on the run after he was allegedly found with a 17-year-old learner at his residence on the school premises, with police also investigating claims that he attempted to bribe school security guards to conceal the incident.

According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the suspect, identified as Anesu Mautsa, allegedly offered two security guards US$1,000 each after they confronted him outside his house on Sunday evening.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations indicate that at around 6 p.m., Mautsa allegedly drove into the school grounds, picked up the Upper Six boarding learner near the classrooms and took her to his residence within the school compound.

Police say security guards Venancia Mupandasekwa and Jonathan Tika became suspicious after seeing the learner enter the teacher's house. They reportedly waited outside until about 7:30 p.m., when Mautsa allegedly opened the door and the learner left the residence.

According to Commissioner Nyathi, the security guards questioned the teacher about why the learner had been inside his house, but he allegedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation.

Police further allege that Mautsa then attempted to offer each guard US$1,000 in exchange for their silence. The guards refused the money and alerted the school's deputy headmistress, Sekai Musanhu. Before she arrived, the suspect allegedly fled the scene in his vehicle.

Commissioner Nyathi said the deputy headmistress later interviewed the learner, who allegedly reported having had unprotected sexual intercourse with the suspect on two separate occasions.

The matter was reported to ZRP Mutasa on 23 June, and the learner was referred to Bonda Mission Hospital for a medical examination. Police say they searched for the suspect but were unable to locate him, and investigations are continuing.

Police are also looking into unverified allegations circulating on social media claiming the teacher may have been involved in inappropriate relationships with other learners. Authorities have not confirmed those claims.

Meanwhile, Edmund Samutereko, Education Secretary for the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland, confirmed that investigations are ongoing and said the church does not condone such alleged conduct.

"The police are looking for him as part of the broader investigations into the allegations, which we do not condone as the Responsible Authority," Samutereko said.

He added that if the allegations are proven, the law should take its course.