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Winos Dube

Angeline Mpofu Chronicle Reporter
PARENTS and children’s rights activists yesterday expressed shock at the alleged abuse of pupils by a suspected homosexual teacher at St Columba’s High School in Bulawayo.  Nkosilathi Gadhlula, 26, from Bulawayo’s Gwabalanda suburb, resigned from his post on Monday following an outcry from affected parents after he allegedly sent graphic messages to pupils and has been accused of having sexual relationships with several boys at the school.

Gadhlula appeared in court on April 4 facing charges of contravening the Post and Telecommunications Act after he exchanged graphic messages with a pupil in his class (name withheld).

Winos Dube said it was important for parents to monitor their children so that they quickly detect a change in behaviour.

“Parents who spend time with their children often quickly detect when they are exposed to sickening acts. I applaud the parent who noticed the teacher’s shenanigans and made a police report. The school could have been more vigilant as well,” said Dube.

A social worker, Mildred Mbambo said children who were abused at a tender age suffered long term psychological scars and said the community needed to unite to combat despicable acts on children.

“This unAfrican culture of minding one’s business is to blame for the increase in cases of anti-social behaviour.
It has produced a chain of abused children who grow up to abuse others. Surely, someone saw what was happening but chose to mind their own business instead of reporting the misconduct to the police. Society is responsible for this mess,” said Mbambo.

Justice for Children programmes director Caleb Mutandwa condemned the school for failing to notice the relationship between the teacher and the pupils.

“The school authorities were relaxed such that when the matter came to light, the damage had already been done. We are shocked that the school headmaster failed to notice the behaviour of the teacher to an extent that he was involved in series of relationships with the pupils,” he said.

Mutandwa said the authorities should have been more vigilant.

“When parents send their children to school they are entrusting them to the teachers including school authorities. It is the role of the school authorities to ensure that children are not victimised by teachers.”

He urged the ministry of education to come up with child protection policies that will protect the rights of children.
Gadhlula could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was on voicemail yesterday.

A parent from Nkulumane 5, Lindiwe Moyo said they now feared for the lives of their children.

“Schools used to be institutions we trusted. It is unfortunate that teachers have now turned into predators that prey on pupils they are supposed to protect,” she said.