The long-delayed case of Mahetshe Primary School learners in Matabeleland South who were brutally assaulted by police officers during a so-called crime awareness campaign in May will finally be heard in court on September 23, 2025 in Kezi, Chief Mayenga Fuyane of Maphisa has confirmed.
Chief Fuyane, who last week admitted that community leaders “dragged their feet” in addressing the incident, said he personally followed up with police to establish the status of the case.
“As I promised, I called the Member in Charge at Maphisa Police Station but was informed the station falls under Kezi, so I called the Member in Charge at Kezi who said investigations are over and the case will go to court at Kezi on 23 September,” Chief Fuyane told CITE in an interview.
Read: https://cite.org.zw/chief-acknowledges-delay-in-mahetshe-school-assault-case/
The chief said he had just returned from Mahetshe, where he held a meeting with local leaders before seeking out some of the parents of the affected children.
“As we speak, I am coming from a meeting in Mahetshe where afterwards I looked for the parents of the affected children and found two. I told them the news and they said they had not yet been informed about those developments pertaining to the case or that it would be heard in court,” he explained.
Chief Fuyane said he had instructed local leaders to spread the word to all parents whose children were assaulted.
“I told the headman to call the parents and they must tell others their case will be heard at Kezi 23 September this year,” he added.
Asked about the nature of the charges, Chief Fuyane said the details remained unclear but he expected the police officers to be charged with assault.
“I am not sure of the exact charges but it should be assault,” the chief said.
The case stems from a disturbing incident in May when uniformed police officers descended on Mahetshe Primary School in Matobo District for what was presented as a crime awareness campaign. Instead of delivering talks, the officers allegedly beat dozens of pupils, leaving the community in shock and outrage.
Read:https://cite.org.zw/outrage-in-maphisa-as-police-brutalise-learners-during-crime-awareness-drive/
Parents later opened a police case, but for months there were no visible updates, prompting concerns that the matter was being swept under the carpet.
Last week, Chief Fuyane conceded that local traditional leaders had been slow to push for accountability, even as families of the victims demanded justice.
“We dragged our feet,” he admitted,
Human rights activists condemned the assault, saying it reflects a pattern of excessive use of force by security services, even against minors
On June 12, 2025, Senator Mlotshwa, who resides in Mahetshe, raised the matter in the Senate, condemning the police’s actions as “brutal” and calling for accountability.
She demanded that the Minister of Home Affairs carry out a transparent investigation and prosecute the officers involved.
Read: https://cite.org.zw/senator-demands-justice-over-police-assault-on-mahetshe-learners/
Support CITE’s fearless, independent journalism. Your donation helps us amplify community voices, fight misinformation, and hold power to account. Help keep the truth alive. Donate today
Leave a comment