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Tennyson Hlabangana High School

Temba Dube Senior Reporter
TWENTY-ONE pupils from Tennyson Hlabangana High School in Hope Fountain have been suspended for allegedly smoking and possessing cannabis (mbanje).Norman Nkomo, 54, a local villager, has been arrested for allegedly supplying the drug to pupils believed to be between Form Two to Form Six.

Sources at the school yesterday said four boys were caught smoking the drug at a disused laboratory, commonly referred to as ebostoni by pupils last week.

The furious headmaster, Cleophas Buhwa, ordered further searches and more drugs were discovered.
A source said: “Teachers found a plastic bag with about 1kg of the drug at the hostels. It is believed some of the boys were selling it to other pupils.”

Following further questioning, the pupils started implicating their friends until Nkomo, known locally as Mkays, was named as the supplier.

“Police were called and Mkays was arrested on February 14.  About 21 pupils have been suspended and their parents have since been asked to come and collect them from the school,” said the source.

“The school has been a hive of activity with police swarming the place to carry out investigations. I guess someone is taking the issue seriously because at least 10 police officers were here today, interrogating pupils, their parents and villagers.”

A teacher at the school said: “The rules here are very strict. It’s shocking that pupils were smoking right under our noses. It’s even scandalous to hear they had drugs at the dormitories. They couldn’t have done this alone. I think thorough investigations have to be made.

“Stunning revelations will be made if the matter is really followed up.”
Owen Simanga, 49, a villager who lives near the school said Mkays was a well-known supplier of cannabis.

“I’m not surprised because he’s known for selling mbanje. I’m only angry that he has started selling it to children. They’re young and easily misled. Their parents are sacrificing a lot to send them to school to build a better future but he’s busy destroying it by selling them drugs.”

Buhwa declined to comment, referring questions to the Provincial Education Director, Dan Moyo.
Moyo said: “I am yet to receive a report from the school.”

National Criminal Investigations Department spokesman Detective Assistant Inspector Portia Chino confirmed police had arrested Nkomo who had been found with “mbanje twists” weighing about 70,5g. “Commenting further would jeopardise investigations and also be sub-judicial as the issue is now in the courts,” said Det Asst Insp Chino.

She warned against the use and selling of drugs, saying it was illegal and also harmful to health.