A manhunt is underway for a Bethel Private School teacher, only identified as Banda, accused of repeatedly raping a 10-year-old Grade 4 pupil.
The alleged assaults, which spanned several weeks, came to light after the victim’s father, who is visually impaired, grew suspicious of his daughter’s reluctance to attend free extra lessons offered by Banda.
The case was confirmed by Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza who painted a disturbing picture of abuse and exploitation.
“Police are investigating a rape case involving a teacher at a private school in Hopley,” Inspector Chakanza stated. He detailed the events leading up to the discovery of the alleged crimes.
“The accused person offered to assist the complainant with extra lessons at his workplace free of charge as an act of empathy to the complainant’s father, who is visually impaired and lives with his daughter alone,” Inspector Chakanza explained.
This seemingly benevolent offer, however, masked a sinister motive.
The abuse began in August 2024, during the school holidays.
“Sometime, at the beginning of the month of August 2024, during school holidays, the accused person approached the complainant’s father requesting for permission to assist the complainant with holiday lessons for free,” Inspector Chakanza recounted.
It was during these ostensibly educational sessions that the rapes allegedly occurred.
The victim, burdened by the trauma and threats from her attacker, initially resisted attending the lessons.
“The accused person raped the complainant on numerous occasions. The accused warned the complainant against reporting his act to anyone or he would kill her if he found this out. She did not disclose the ordeal to anyone,” Inspector Chakanza revealed.
This silence, born of fear, nearly allowed the abuse to continue unchecked.
The victim’s father, unaware of the horrific reality, simply saw his daughter’s resistance as defiance.
“Her father ordered the complainant to go for lessons as usual but she refused without disclosing the reason,” Inspector Chakanza said.
The father’s insistence, driven by gratitude for the free tuition, inadvertently pushed his daughter further into danger.
“The father insisted on sending her for lessons and she eventually submitted. Upon arrival, the accused person again took her to his room and repeated the same act,” Inspector Chakanza continued.
The cycle of abuse continued even after the school holidays ended, with Banda continuing to offer free lessons.
It was the father’s growing suspicion that finally brought the horrific situation to light.
“When the school holidays ended, the accused person insisted to the father that he was going on with the lessons with the complainant free of charge. The father became suspicious and tasked one of their female neighbours to follow the complainant from behind each time she left home for the said lessons to the accused’s place,” Inspector Chakanza explained.
The neighbour’s vigilance proved crucial.
“The teacher was caught in the act, managed to escape and is yet to be arrested,” Inspector Chakanza stated.
The victim, understandably traumatised, received immediate medical attention.
“Complainant was escorted to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital for medical examinations,” Inspector Chakanza concluded.
The incident also raises questions about the vetting processes at Bethel Private School and the need for enhanced safeguarding measures to protect pupils.
