The headmaster of Allan Wilson Boys’ High School in Zimbabwe, Tafara Zhou, has been charged with aggravated indecent assault amid serious claims that he repeatedly abused a student over two years.
Zhou was arraigned in court over the weekend, although he was not required to enter a plea.
Court proceedings revealed that the alleged victim, now 19, first approached Zhou in 2022 seeking help with school fees.
The student testified that the headmaster agreed to sponsor his education but later demanded sexual favours in return.
“In June 2022, Zhou called me to his car and demanded a sexual relationship since he was paying for everything,” the student said. “He threatened to expel me if I refused.”
The abuse reportedly resumed in January 2023 in the school’s laundry room, and again the following month at Zhou’s residence.
The most distressing episode allegedly occurred during a 2023 school excursion to Victoria Falls.
The headmaster reportedly separated the victim from his peers and drove him in a private vehicle.
“He booked a room and abused me for three days,” the boy testified. “It happened again on our way back to Harare.”
Zhou allegedly seized the student’s mobile phone afterwards, erasing messages that could implicate him and warned the student that no one would believe him due to the headmaster’s influence.
The case was only reported after Zhou allegedly expelled the student when he tried to register for exams through his teachers. With a teacher’s assistance, the student came forward, leading to the arrest.
This case emerges as another major abuse scandal unfolds at Masase High School in Mberengwa, where deputy head Anymore Gumbo is accused of molesting as many as 35 students. Gumbo is currently on the run.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed, “We are identifying victims. So far, one complaint has been recorded.”
Masase’s headmaster, Albion Masukume, issued a letter to parents stating: “I write with sorrow to inform you that allegations of child abuse by one of our staff members were reported. Investigations are underway.”
The matter was exposed following an anonymous report to education officials. Authorities are encouraging more victims to step forward.
