FULL TEXT: "Teacher In Hot Soup" Over Demonstration By Njube High School Students

MEMORANDUM

TO: THE OFFICER COMMANDING BULAWAYO WEST DISTRICT
FROM: OIC NJUBE
DATED 20/01/2020
SUBJECT: DEMONSTRATION BY NJUBE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
This Memo serves to inform you that:
INFORMANT
Name: Ndlovu Archford
Contacts: 0772 885 616
Residential address: Njube High School, Bulawayo
Business address: Njube High Secondary School.

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ACCUSED
Name: Brian Mutsiba
NR: 08-709411-D-66
Contacts: 0771 788 104
Res: 311 Emakhandeni, Bulawayo
Business: Njube High School, Bulawayo
CIRCUMSTANCES
On the 20th day of January 2020 and at around 1000 hours, the accused incited over 153 forms one, three and six students to partake in an unlawful demonstration. In doing so, the accused removed the portrait of the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe from the staff room and went on to un-hoist the National Flag from its mast. He then exited the school gate with the students he had mobilised for the unsanctioned march.

From the school, they turned right into B.B. Burombo Road then used a footpath to connect Luveve Road. On reaching the robots opposite Entumbane Complex, the demonstrators gathered and started chanting songs saying, Imfundo ngeyethu into oyenzayo siyayizonda amongst others. The procession then started marching along Luveve Road towards Emagetsini. They were waving placards inscribed Where is UNICEF?”, “This is for every Zimbabwean child” and “SOS serve our souls”. The Presidents portrait and Zimbabwean flag were being carried by two students.

When they got near to the intersection of Luveve Road and Masiyephambili Road, the demonstrators grouped again and deliberately turned the portrait and the national flag upside and started making loud chants. They then knelt down facing the eastern direction and sang “Nkosi sikelela iAfrica”. During that process, the headmaster, Mr Zibusiso Msimanga N.R. 53-042510-B-58, cell number 0772 402 047 arrived at the scene and ordered the school children to stop what they were doing and go back to school. The children complied and went back to school but along the way the accused kept on influencing the students to be defiant.

On entering the school campus, one of the pupils who had participated in the march hoisted back the flag. The children then went back to their classes. The accused disappeared from the school upon arrival from the march. ZRP Njube attended the scene and called the pupils to assembly. The children who had participated in the demonstration voluntarily came into the open about their participation. They were invited to write reasons for their participation in the demonstration which are—

• The fees have been hiked from $92-00 to $440-00.
  The teachers are earning low salaries.
  Teachers not attending lessons.
  Beneficiaries of the BEAM programme being made to pay half of the fees and
  The general high cost of living.

05. A follow-up of the accused was made at number 311, Emakhandeni by Numbers 066556S Constable Magwira and 087615H Constable Muzvuwe. Seen was Sandra Tshuma; N.R. 79-126259-C-79, Cellphone number 0771 778 123, aged 32 years who indicated that the accused relocated to an unknown address three years back. She indicated that the accused was a fellow tenant at the house.
Preliminary investigations show that accused is a former prison officer and subscribes to ZIMTA. He is an abuser of alcohol and is staying alone. Report has been entered on RRB 403903. The accused is being charged for Contravening section 37 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23 {participating in a public gathering with the intent to promote public violence, breach of peace or bigotry} and also for Contravening section 6 of the Flag of Zimbabwe Act; Chapter 10:10 {insulting the flag}.

Scene was also attended by the Officer Commanding Bulawayo West District; Chief Superintendent Bizeki, members from the Presidents Office, Military Intelligence, Prison Intelligence and different media houses.

Indications are that the accused is the one who masterminded the demonstration. The school pupils were merely following their teachers orders. Also observed was that the spokesperson of MDC-Alliance president, Nkululeko Sibanda was seen milling around.

039730J CHIEF INSPECTOR RAMAPHOSA ZRP NJUBE