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Paidamoyo Chipunza Senior Reporter
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has instituted independent investigations into allegations of sexual abuse of students by teachers and nuns at Monte Cassino Girls’ High School in Macheke, Mashonaland East, following a protest march by scores of the girls last week.

In a statement, ZGC said Section 81(1) (e) and (f) of the Constitution provides for the right to education and protection from maltreatment, neglect, sexual exploitation and any other form of abuse.

It further said Articles 3 and 4 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on Rights of Women in Africa, which Zimbabwe is a party to, provides for the right to dignity, life, integrity and security of person.

“The Commission is disturbed by these serious allegations which indeed warrant full attention of the Commission. To this effect, the Commission has instituted its own investigation into the matter,” reads part of the statement.

Media reports say 145 students from the school besieged Macheke Police Station last Friday to register their grievances against the school, which included sexual harassment, verbal abuse and corporal punishment, among others.

The students, who walked about six kilometres to the police station, also alleged that the school confiscated laptops belonging to some of the students as punishment in addition to punishing those who did not attend holiday lessons.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has also launched its own investigations into the allegations following the demonstration.

Ministry officials in the province said some of the allegations required more time.

“Our team’s preliminary findings point to a number of allegations by the pupils which require further investigations, so a team led by Marondera schools inspector Mr Fedinando Changa is doing that,” said Mashonaland East acting provincial education director Mr Kennedy Maturure.