A Ruya Adventist School head cook, Lesly Bizwell, has appeared in court charged with assault, following a vicious attack on a student on attachment at the school. The shocking incident, which left the student with a broken arm, was allegedly triggered by gossip concerning Bizwell’s intimate life, who is accused of ‘kuchemerera too much during lula lula’.
The victim, Meloshance Kashingaidza, a student at Chamtec Vocational Training Centre in Mt Darwin, was reportedly targeted after Bizwell heard rumours that she was spreading gossip about her around the school. The rumours allegedly centred on claims that Bizwell makes “annoying sounds” that disturb other occupants of the residence whenever she is intimate with her partner.
The incident, which H-Metro exclusively broke despite spirited attempts to keep it under wraps, has cast a shadow over the school and raised concerns about the treatment of students on attachment.
Bizwell, who is Kashingaidza’s supervisor, pleaded not guilty to the assault charge when she appeared in court.
The State alleges that on 7 June 2025, at around 5pm, Bizwell lured Kashingaidza into a toilet and locked the door. She then accused the student of spreading the damaging gossip. According to the State, Bizwell proceeded to brutally assault Kashingaidza with a safety shoe and a stick, inflicting severe injuries.
The attack resulted in Kashingaidza suffering a fracture to her arm, as well as other injuries. Bizwell was arrested three days after the incident.
Attempts were made to suppress news of the assault, but the severity of Kashingaidza’s injuries made it impossible to keep the matter a secret. Staff at Mt Darwin Hospital insisted on a police report before they would treat the student, forcing the school authorities to acknowledge the incident.
Kashingaidza has stated that the vicious attack only stopped after she pleaded with her attacker to release her, explaining that her hand had been broken in the assault.
The school deputy head, Mrs Zingoni, rushed Kashingaidza to Mt Darwin Hospital. However, the hospital nurse refused to attend to Kashingaidza without a police report, leading to Bizwell’s arrest.
Earlier this week, Kashingaiza told H-Metro that she was unaware of the accusations against her that led to the assault. “As we speak, I am yet to know her reason for ruthlessly attacking me, it’s an issue she is refusing to disclose,” she said.
“She locked the toilet door after asking me to enter and I thought she wanted me to clean the toilet only to be treated like a snake.
“Hanzi ndichakurova kusvikira wanyarara upfidze kuita makuhwa.” (She said I will beat you until you are quiet and repent for gossiping.)
“Shamhu nhatu dzakakora dzakaperera pandiri uye safety shoe and dry hands.” (Three thick sticks broke on me and safety shoe and dry hands.)
“I cried for help, begging for forgiveness in vain until she broke my hand.”
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