The Secondary School Teachers’ Union of Zambia has pledged to provide legal support to five teachers from Senanga Day Secondary School who were arrested over the alleged assault of a 15-year-old pupil.
The incident is reported to have occurred on March 16, 2026, during a lesson when the pupil allegedly made insulting remarks while his class teacher was teaching. The teacher further indicated that the pupil was suspected to have been smelling of cannabis.
The situation escalated when the pupil was asked to leave the classroom but refused. When the headteacher intervened and called him out, the pupil reportedly still resisted, leading to other teachers forcing him out of the classroom.
Following the confrontation, the pupil allegedly insulted the teachers, including the headteacher, an incident later captured in a video that circulated widely on social media.
The teachers—Kaitwa Kamona, Febian Mushoke, Mubiana Milale, Jere Simataa, and Masialeti Kubindwa have been charged with assault on a child, contrary to Section 248A of the Penal Code.
Police have since released them on bond, and they are expected to appear in court.
SESTUZ Public Relations Officer Christine Lungu said the union’s support does not justify abuse but emphasised that allegations should not be treated as proof of guilt.
She said a legal team of five lawyers, led by SESTUZ General Secretary Anthony Mukanda, will travel to Senanga to ensure the teachers receive fair representation.
Lungu called on stakeholders to allow due process to take its course while maintaining responsibility and restraint.
Meanwhile, Western Province Police Commissioner Rae Hamoonga confirmed that the pupil sustained injuries including neck pain, rib pain, backache, and general body pains.
The case was reported by the pupil’s father, Lungowe Mooka, on March 19, 2026, following the incident which led to the arrest of the teachers.
From the story it appears the teachers were provoked, But again corporal punishment should not be allowed. There must always be civil ways to sort out issues when aggrieved, the reason I condemned the Chingola chaps who decided to chase HH with stones when they were aggrieved