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Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
A HEADMASTER at Chegato Primary School in Mberengwa is suing the School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson, the community leadership and two female teachers who are accusing him of sexually abusing them using mubobobo.

Mubobobo is said to be a supernatural way of having sex with people without their knowledge or consent.

Mr Cabson Zhou, through his lawyers, Mutendi, Mudisi and Shumba Legal Practitioners, filed an urgent chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court citing Mr Joseph Tseisi in his capacity as Chief Mposi, his headman Mr Tabudanago Dabula Mawerewere, SDC chairperson Mr Clifford Chimwanda and the two female teachers, Ms Sifelani Maseko and Ms Temutso Zhou as the respondents.

Mr Zhou is seeking an order interdicting the respondents from defaming him on any media platform and harassing him over false allegations. He wants the court to bar the respondents from necessitating his transfer from Chegato Primary School and disturbing his peace as well as school activities. In his founding affidavit, Mr Zhou denied the accusations levelled against him, saying they were malicious and based on hatred. He said he was being persecuted because of his political party which he did not mention.

“The respondents are constantly calling for meetings at the school and community for the purposes of harassing me. This has greatly disturbed my peace as a headmaster and ordinary citizen. Due to the regular meetings being conducted by the respondents, school activities are constantly disrupted and this will negatively affect pupils,” he said.

Mr Zhou, who is also being accused of possessing a goblin, said the respondents were violating his constitutional right to privacy and political affiliation.

“The false allegations have gravely tarnished my reputation and dignity in society and this is clearly an infringement on my constitutional right to human dignity, privacy and political affiliation. I was once a well-respected headmaster, but of late I have been viewed in bad light by staff members, pupils and the community at large,” he said.

Mr Zhou said he has been psychologically, mentally and socially affected due to the conduct of the respondents.

He said his imminent transfer based on falsehoods was tantamount to grave injustice.

“Chegato Primary School has become an integral part of me and for me to be transferred based on falsehoods is tantamount to grave injustice. My efforts to stop the respondents from spreading false accusations have been futile and as such, the granting of an interdict is the only remedy,” said Mr Zhou.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has since launched a probe following the complaint by the SDC chairperson and the affected female teachers at the school.

Villagers from surrounding communities and female teachers approached provincial education authorities saying they were no longer comfortable working with Mr Zhou.

Chief Mposi said they were in the process of getting the opinion of the community as well as the SDC before submitting a report to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education as required.

Three weeks ago, there was drama at the school when aggrieved parents and female teachers who had allegedly fallen prey to the headmaster’s mubobobo escapades engaged an inyanga to conduct a cleansing ceremony.

Five female teachers at the school claimed that the headmaster had sex with them using muti which enabled him to abuse them even though there was no physical contact.

@mashnets