A Bulawayo school has been rocked by controversy after private love messages exchanged between the headmaster and a married teacher were leaked, igniting a firestorm amongst staff and students.
The headmaster, identified as Behlulu Sibanda, is alleged to have been exchanging the intimate messages with Clariet Khumalo, a teacher at the same school, who is also married.
The scandal erupted when Sibanda reportedly sent a private message to a staff WhatsApp group by mistake, inadvertently exposing his alleged secret affair with Khumalo.
The accidental revelation sent shockwaves through the school, particularly after Sibanda’s wife discovered the messages. Sources say that she issued a stern warning to all female teachers at the school, demanding they stay away from her husband. This incident has reportedly created a tense and uncomfortable atmosphere within the school.
Despite the incriminating evidence, Sibanda has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that his phone was used without his permission. “I don’t know why someone would do that. It feels like a deliberate attempt to embarrass me,” he said when approached for comment.
Khumalo has also dismissed suggestions of a romantic relationship with Sibanda. “I have never dated headmaster Sibanda,” she stated.
However, despite their denials, the leaked messages and the nature of their relationship have become the dominant topic of discussion amongst both students and teachers at the school. The saga has diverted attention from academic matters, creating a distraction for the entire school community.
The incident comes amidst a week of dramatic revelations involving senior teachers caught in complex love triangles.
In a separate case, H-Metro recently reported the collapse of a 37-year marriage after a senior teacher abandoned his matrimonial home to move in with his former student, who is now his mistress.
The affair between Calisto Marezva, 62, and Lillian Komboni, his former student, has caused a stir in the Muzvezve Constituency. Calisto and his ex-wife, Diana Dorothea Gundu, were married for 37 years and have three children and seven grandchildren. Calisto reportedly left his wife in January last year.
Lillian runs a bar at Donain Shopping Centre, where the couple is now residing. Calisto, a senior teacher with 43 years of experience, teaches at Donain Secondary School.
The breakdown of Calisto’s marriage has led to a series of confrontations between the two women, resulting in multiple court appearances over peace orders and allegations of cyberbullying. Diana filed for adultery damages late last year, claiming US$50,000 from Lillian under case number NO46/25. H-Metro reports being in possession of some of the court documents.
On January 14th of this year, Lillian was served with a second batch of summons, requiring her to respond to the claims. The summons stated, “Be pleased to take notice that the defendant is hereby required to file her response to the plaintiff’s claim within five days of this notice, failing which it is the plaintiff’s intention to apply for a default judgment.”
These two incidents highlight the complexities and challenges faced within the teaching profession, where personal relationships can have a significant impact on the professional environment. The Bulawayo school scandal and the Muzvezve Constituency case serve as cautionary tales about the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and the potential consequences of crossing them.
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