Sources in the education sector said the pupils from Nandi primary school in Chiredzi stopped reporting for lessons in February to seek medical treatment. Chiredzi district education officer Asaniel Chauke confirmed the development adding that the affected students would probably report for lessons in May when schools open for the second term.
"Most of the affected students are out of school right now as they are getting specialised treatment for their injuries in Harare, "said Chauke.
The school, located along the Chiredzi-Tanganda highway, had to be temporarily closed after a team of war veterans in the company of police officers arrived to fish out children who had allegedly stolen their sugar cane in February. Sources said the war veterans had a list of names of pupils who had eaten the sugar cane.
In the company of the police, they took a group of children, some as young as seven, to the nearby police station where they were severely beaten. Some of the assailants were arrested and have already been arraigned before the courts on assault charges.
They are out of custody on $100 bail each but the trial is yet to kick off as medical affidavits are yet to be compiled. The Zimbabwe NGO human rights forum, which is footing hospital bills for the pupils, has pledged to give them legal assistance.
Hordes of war veterans and senior Zanu (PF) officials grabbed huge sugar cane plots from former commercial farmers during the controversial land redistribution programme. The sugar industry remains one of the most lucrative industries in the country.
Post published in: Education