BULAWAYO- A 36-year-old teacher at Milton High School has been granted US$300 bail following his arrest and court appearance on multiple counts of sodomising boys.

Tyson Lunga made his initial court appearance before Bulawayo magistrate Eva Matura on Thursday.

Lunga faces six charges related to performing indecent acts with young persons, including allegations of sexual harassment and attempted sexual exploitation of students.

Represented by Constance Tatenda Mathaba, Lunga denies the charges.

The National Prosecuting Authority represented by Nkanyezi Xaba alleges that Lunga targeted four male students between 15 and 17 years old, making sexual advances, offering money for sexual favours, and discussing sexual preferences.

In one incident, Lunga is alleged to have made sexual advances towards a 17-year-old student, sending messages calling the student “handsome” and expressing a desire to engage in gay sex.

In another instance, Lunga is alleged to have offered a 15-year-old student $10 if he would sleep with him, inviting the student to his residence at the school and sending messages complimenting the student’s appearance.

Lunga is also accused of offering another 15-year-old student food and money in exchange for intimacy, calling the student into his room and offering to pay for the student’s gym membership.

In another incident, a complainant described how Lunga allegedly discussed homosexuality and offered $50 for intimacy, which the complainant declined.

The final incident involves Lunga telling an 18-year-old student that he had a list of students he wanted to have sexual relations with, asking the student to choose between male and female roles and expressing interest in the student. This was eventually reported to the boarding master, leading to Lunga’s arrest.

However, Lunga’s lawyer claims that these allegations are false, stating that Lunga had been a victim of rumours that he was a homosexual before he even transferred to Milton High School. According to the lawyer, some teachers had already advised students to stay away from Lunga and had coerced students into making reports against him.

He was remanded to June 25.