Tafara Zhou, the headmaster of Allan Wilson High School in Harare, is facing serious allegations of aggravated indecent assault involving a male student, with reported incidents stretching from 2022 to 2023.
Zhou recently appeared in court but was not required to enter a plea at this stage.
According to the prosecution, the alleged victim, who is now 19, learned in 2022 about potential scholarship opportunities for disadvantaged students at select Harare schools. After unsuccessfully approaching several institutions, including Prince Edward, Cranborne Boys, and Churchill Boys High, he eventually made his way to Allan Wilson High School.
It was there that he met Zhou and expressed his desire to enroll in Form 3. The student, identifying himself as a traditional healer, reportedly received an offer from Zhou, who said he would cover his school expenses in exchange for spiritual services.
However, the relationship allegedly took a dark turn. In June 2022, Zhou is said to have summoned the student to his car, where he reportedly declared his intention to initiate a sexual relationship, citing the financial support he was providing. Zhou allegedly warned the student that refusal would result in expulsion.
Fearing the consequences, and feeling trapped, the student allegedly submitted to the abuse, though he never gave full consent. The court heard that he did not report the incident out of fear and shame.
Another alleged assault occurred in January 2023 in the school’s laundry room, after Zhou reportedly took the boy out of the hostel. The student kept quiet once again, reportedly lying to peers about his whereabouts.
In February 2023, Zhou allegedly manipulated the student into joining a school trip. Rather than traveling with the rest of the students, Zhou reportedly took the boy to his private residence before taking him to Victoria Falls. There, he allegedly booked a room and subjected him to multiple instances of abuse over three days, continuing even on the return trip.
The state claims this pattern of abuse continued on numerous other occasions. In June 2024, the student reported the case to a representative at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, but he was initially reluctant to involve law enforcement, citing Zhou’s financial support.
The situation reportedly worsened when Zhou allegedly accessed the boy’s phone, erasing messages and photos, and threatened him, claiming powerful connections that would protect him from consequences.
The final turning point came when the student asked Zhou for help registering for his exams. After being refused, compassionate teachers at the school stepped in and helped him register—an act that allegedly angered Zhou and led to the student’s expulsion.
With the help of one of those teachers, the student later filed a formal report with the police after receiving his exam results.
The case has now moved into the judicial system, where further investigations are expected.
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