The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 32-YEAR-OLD teacher from Mangwe District will perform 210 hours of community service for raping a 14-year-old former pupil at his school.
Celestian Matsika, who is a teacher at Kwite Primary School, is reported to have proposed love to the juvenile two years ago while she was still in Grade 7. The juvenile was later scalded by her mother with boiling water as punishment for sleeping with the teacher.
The relationship which had remained a secret for more than a year came to light after the girl’s uncle found his niece who had gone missing from home at the teacher’s house.
Matsika was reportedly transferred from two other schools within the district after sleeping with primary school pupils.
Prosecuting, Ms Jane Phiri said the uncle found his niece at the teacher’s homestead on 7 November.
“On 7 November the juvenile proceeded to work at her mother’s garden which is close to the school. After completing her work Matsika summoned the girl to his home where he had sexual intercourse with her,” said Ms Phiri.
She said in the evening, the uncle after realising that his niece had not returned home proceeded to the school to inquire of her whereabouts.
Some people who were at the school advised him that his niece had gone into Matsika’s house.
Ms Phiri said he proceeded to the teacher’s house where he found him together with his niece.
Upon being questioned by her uncle, the 14-year-old later revealed that Matsika had directed some pupils at her former school to summon her to his house.
Matsika, who pleaded guilty to charges of having sexual intercourse with a young person, appeared before Plumtree magistrate Mr Gideon Ruvetsa.
He was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment of which three months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit an offence of the same nature.
The remaining six months were further suspended on condition that he performs 210 hours of community service at Siyahokwe Clinic.
In passing his sentence, Mr Ruvetsa pointed out that Matsika had committed a serious offence which deserved a jail term but he had taken his career into consideration.
“I have considered that there is a great chance that you might lose your job and as such I will spare you a jail sentence,” said Mr Ruvetsa.
In his mitigation, the teacher pointed out that he was not aware that his lover was under age. He said at the time he proposed love to her the girl pointed out that she was 16 years old.
