ZAMBIA: Pupil defiled, teacher nabbed

A 13-YEAR-OLD Grade Seven pupil at Konkola Lower Primary School in Mazabuka has allegedly been defiled by her deputy head teacher. 

According to Zambia daily-mail, Southern Province commissioner of police Mary Chikwanda said yesterday that the suspect, whose name has been withheld, is in his 40s. Ms Chikwanda said the teacher allegedly defiled the minor at his house on July 25 and 26 this year, and gave her an undisclosed amount of money so that she does not disclose the predicament to her parents. 

“We received a report of a girl who was allegedly defiled by her deputy head teacher of this same school. The incident happened between July 25 and 26, 2014,” she said. 

Ms Chikwanda said police officers have been dispatched to the school to thoroughly investigate the matter. 

She said the suspect is expected to appear in court as soon as the officers conclude the investigation. Ms Chikwanda appealed to those in authority to protect the lives of the girl-child. 

In a separate interview, Mazabuka district education board secretary Ephe Ngolwe said she had not yet received the report but that it would be “disgusting if it were true”. 

Ms Ngolwe said it would be disappointing for any teacher to be found abusing children at the expense of inculcating good morals in them. 

“I have not yet received that report but if it’s true, it will be very disgusting and unfortunate if there’s such a case...defilement is a very serious crime and we don’t expect teachers to engage in such activities,” she said. 

Ms Ngolwe said children, especially girls, are the future leaders of the country and should be protected and not abused by teachers, who are “their parents” when in school.