POLICE in North-Western Province have arrested a school teacher at Mushindamo Technical Girls Secondary School in Solwezi for allegedly gassing his pupils using paper spray.

In a statement, Monday, North-Western Province Police Commissioner Joel Njase disclosed that the incident occurred on Saturday, February 27, at midnight and that six school girls were currently admitted at Solwezi General Hospital.

He added that the police had arrested Sitali Masiye, a history teacher at the school for allegedly being the perpetrator behind the gassing incident.

“Be informed that this formation is in receipt of a report of gassing in which pupils at Mushindamo Technical Girls Secondary School were gassed by their teacher, male Sitali Masiye, a history teacher. This occurred on 27/02/21 around 24.00hrs at Mushindamo Girls Technology School. This was reported on 28/02/21 at 21.00hrs on a cell phone from an informer that pupils at Mushindamo Girls Tech School were gassed by their teacher male Sitali Masiye on unknown circumstances,” said Njase in the statement.

“Affected pupils are: Seyana Kabaso; Patricia Nsamba; Agnes Nasamba; Patricia Much; Bwalya Kabwe; Honda Mukumbi; Christine Simasiku; Muswanamumi Mubitana; Chileshe Chilufya; Tango Chapu; Agnes Musonda; Muzangalu Sakulenga; Conasta Chinyemba; Rachael Machina; Ruth Tembo; Thelma Mukanzo; Magret Mumba; Wonderful Apuleni; Nkandu Oyo and Luselwa Kanyemba who had challenges in breathing. So far, six are admitted at Solwezi General Hospital and are out of danger. An inquiry file has been opened and the accused is in police custody at Mushindamo Police Check Point with officers conducting operations. More to follow. A pepper spray is alleged to have been used to spray the pupils.”