St Mathias Tsonzo student murder hearing begins

Livingstone Sunhwa

THE mother of St Mathias Tsonzo student, Livingstone Sunhwa, who was discovered dead after missing for six months, is set to appear as a witness in a hearing of suspended headmaster of the boarding school Maxwell Sambona who is facing a misconduct charge.

In an April 16 letter, Public Service Commission (director disciplinary services), Silas Nhenjana, advised Sunhwa’s mother, Selina Tadya, that the hearing would be held on May 8.

“Please note and be informed that you may produce at the hearing any documents, books, records or other things in your possession or under your control which may be of relevance to the allegations levelled against the named member,” Nhenjana said.

Sunhwa went missing on December 6, 2021 a day after being released from police custody where he was allegedly tortured in connection with a tuckshop break-in at the school. It was reported that the police discovered shoeprints and traced them to the boys’ dormitory, and further investigations revealed that the deceased was the culprit.

Stolen groceries were allegedly found tucked under his bed. Sunhwa was taken to Mutasa Police Station for further interrogation. The headmaster and two teachers reportedly made a follow-up and negotiated with the police for his release.

Police then released the 19-year-old pupil to enable him to sit for his final Zimbabwe School Examination Council English examination on December 7.

However, the teenager disappeared the following morning and for six months his whereabouts were not known, prompting his mother to demand answers from school authorities.

On June 24, 2022, human remains were recovered from a stream.

Police confirmed in a memo that the remains were of Sunhwa following deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests.

The internal police memo claimed that he could have committed suicide.

Sunhwa’s remains were buried on October 9 in Mutare amid claims that his palms and feet were yet to be located.

Related Topics