Terrence Mawawa, Chiredzi | A Zaka teacher has been sentenced to three years in jail for having sexual intercourse with a form two pupil.
Stewart Makoni, who is a teacher at Mutonhori High School in Zaka, appeared before Magistrate Judith Zuyu facing charges of having sex with a minor. He was convicted of the lesser charge of having sex with a juvenile.
Sometime in February 2016 Makoni raped the 15 year old pupil on several occasions.
The matter was discovered after the minor’s brother noticed she had developed the habit of buying expensive food items during lunch time and he became suspicious.
The brother also noticed the girl had a brand new cell phone which he knew their parents could not afford to purchase. When the matter was reported to the police the minor said she was forced to have sex.
In passing judgment, Magistrate Zuyu said evidence produced by both parties indicated that Makoni did not force the minor into having sex- but the two agreed.
She convicted Makoni of a lesser charge of having sex with a minor and sentenced him to three years in prison. The magistrate also castigated Makoni ‘s paedophilic behaviour-which she strongly condemned. However one year was suspended and he will serve an effective two years in prison.