Harare – A teacher at St Peter’s Kubatana Industrial Training College, a Catholic-run institution, is facing serious allegations after being confronted by the mother of a female student who accused him of turning his house into a “love nest”. The incident has raised concerns about professional conduct and potential abuse of authority within the college.
The mother, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of her daughter, expressed outrage over the teacher, Kudakwashe Jongwe’s, behaviour. She told H-Metro that Jongwe had been sexually harassing her daughter and that she was particularly disturbed by an incident where he took her daughter shopping before allegedly taking her to his house.
“Jongwe is unprofessional and he has been harassing my daughter considering his love comments to her,” the concerned mother stated. “In short, he was sexually harassing her and I smelt a rat and refused to sign the trip document.” The “trip document” refers to a form authorising her daughter’s participation in a college trip.
The situation escalated when Jongwe allegedly took the student shopping, even though she was not initially part of the planned trip. “He then took her for shopping, although she was not part of the trip,” the mother claimed, further fueling her suspicions about the nature of Jongwe’s relationship with her daughter.
The mother’s attempts to address the issue with the college principal were met with resistance, further angering her. “After taking our matter to the principal, he defended him and that angered me,” she said, suggesting a possible cover-up or a lack of seriousness in addressing the allegations.
Confronted by H-Metro, Jongwe confirmed that there had been an altercation with the student’s mother. “Yes, the parent came here fuming about her daughter,” he acknowledged.
Jongwe offered a different account of the events, claiming that he had included the student on the list of those he was taking to Bulawayo because she was part of the Student Representative Council (SRC). “I had included the student on the list of those I was taking to Bulawayo since she is part of the SRC team,” he explained.
He admitted to taking the student and other students shopping for groceries for the trip, but denied any inappropriate intentions. “I took her along with other students to shop for groceries for the trip and that angered the parent,” Jongwe said. “The parent refused to sign and authorise for her to be part of the trip.”
Jongwe vehemently denied the allegations of sexual misconduct and refuted the claim that he had turned his house into a brothel. “She was quick to accuse me of bedding her daughter and we clashed over such allegations,” he said. “I never turned my house into a brothel as alleged.”
Jongwe also emphasised that he lives with his sister, making it impossible for him to engage in any inappropriate behaviour. “I stay with one of my sisters called Vimbai and there is noway I would accommodate students for sexual abuse,” he asserted.
Deflecting further inquiries, Jongwe directed the reporter to seek clarification from the college principal. “Anywhere, come in person and see my principal for clarity,” said Jongwe.
